This thesis argues that the dominant discourse in the public debate about the role of the South African press is the libertarian press model as it has emerged in modern Western societies. This study began as an exploration of the public debate in the South African media.
Confining the study
Limitations of the treatise
However, I am assuming here that the most important debates about the press took place in the English-language press. This demonstrates that the libertarian, or 'watchdog', discourse is a major driving force in the South African media debate.
1.4, How the treatise is structured
The analysis of the articles also contains findings and comments that are necessary to understand the overall conclusions. In accordance with the ideals of the normative press, the analysis of the articles will be grouped into three main discourses: the 'watchdog discourse', the 'state formation discourse' and the 'alternative discourse' (communitarian perspective).
It is therefore not a threat to the integrity of the research to use known categories. The assumption is that the views expressed on behalf of the newspaper industry and government continue unless there is reason to believe otherwise.
Method and theory
- Social constructionism
- Broad theoretical considerations
- Presuppositions and discursive context
- A basic theory of discourse
- Analyzing presuppositions in text
These topics or statements are common and need no assertion in the discourse in which they circulate and are connected. They can all be observed in the discussion surrounding the role of the media in post-apartheid South Africa.
An analysis of an article
The following notes serve as an example of how each article was analyzed using a premise analysis before being compiled into general observations in Chapter 4. This column, "Another Voice," by Stephen Mulholland appears every Sunday in the business section of Sunday Times.
Intermediate conclusion: Newspapers are private investments. Economic independence from the government is necessary
The title of the column indicates that the author is not afraid to speak out against mainstream opinion. The press criticizes all government initiatives that may infringe on press freedom (Observation #20).
Normative models of the press
- The relevance of normative press models
- The Iibertarian 10 model
- The social responsibility model
- The communitarian model
- Normative models of the press in the South African context
Siebert (1963), writing in the American tradition, credits the US Commission on Freedom of the Press (also known as the Hutchins Commission (1947)) with the emergence of the social responsibility model. Liberal principles (the view that the media should have the opportunity to freely express their ideas without government intervention) are defended both in the libertarian model and in the model of social responsibility of the media.
Analysis and observations
- The libertarian model
Furthermore, Naidoo confirmed that the watchdog metaphor is relevant when describing the normative role of the press. It is therefore questionable to accept an unqualified connection between press freedom and democracy.
4.2, The social responsibility model
The communitarian model
Lansink reports that the liberal model of democracy, which South Africa imitates, aims to limit the state and dichotomize the roles of government and the commercial sector, such as the media. The role of the watchdog in particular is not abandoned, but it is only one of a wider range of responsibilities of the media.
A model of contending press ideologies in post-apartheid South Africa
The purpose of the press is to serve the nation, not just society as such. The purpose of the press is again to take part in the nation-building process.
Conclusion
- Main findings
- Further research
- Limitations of theory and analysis
This thesis is mainly a descriptive study, and it lacks a more detailed theoretical analysis of the identified press models. Because this analysis is based on the subjective identification of the connection between words and discourses, it is easy to confuse the confirmation of one's own views with actual analysis.
Newspaper articles
Books & Journals
The looking·glass war The Leadership Opinion Kaizer Nyatsumba Kaizer Nyatsumba Magazine
07·05·98 The role of the media more than guarding Sowetan Opinion Annette Lansink Annette Lansink (Lecturer in Public Law, Univ. of Venda). 17-11·98 Probe will hurt Mandela's efforts at Business Day Opinion Raymond Louw Raymond Louw (FX\) reconciliation.
Appendix B
The importance 01 a necessity test l~ respect for free speech and every other fundamental right Is clearly stated by the Technical Committee to the Constitutional Assembly. I believe it will be no feat of political argument to convince an audience. As today's is that free speech is fundamental for any person.
INSTITUUT VIR] EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
Die Universiteit van die Oranje-Vrystaat
These have made it much easier for those in power to be criticized, and it is now an established principle in the US that a democracy cannot flourish unless its citizens do too.
INST!TUUT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS D
Some of the more sensitive officials even seem to see the routh estate as a FHth Col-WTU1 these days. .. in the face of the government's cliti· . psms, some journalists fear the v.,'orsl. Uket.o.is.e, much critical coverage of changes to Model C schools is based on the narrow interests of the v'hite community, The point IS that the press SOIll~.
MINNIE
Depu!.y President Thabo Mbekl appointed an 18-month working group Iago to draft an Open Democracy Bilt which<:h would provide,;: the legal frameworkwo-.:k In.
Freedom
The to~um liaises with the ta~k group and has also contacted the pa~li?men. The task force itself held a number of consultative seminars before it began drafting the bill. is! two conferences. one organized bjJ the in-. substitute. was hell! to address issues of c!ebate surrounding the Bill.. this effort in time, money and? ene,rgy by both th~ . government task. ~"oup and ]various other oreanization and non-governmental-. Funihlmenteal for ulffieriitan.!in-g-freedom of expression jS·-U)"sef'\.ha"l-it -is-not rnade-up of dITferent parts like ~speech and'd-b'a-d -3pe~h.lt are both.
INSTITUUT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDEN1S Die Uni\'ersiteit van die Oranje-Vrystoot
34; South Africa's rr,as~ media has help to change our world, but it has done too little for itself." ;ment and editorial1 .levels, its effects Ctlier down to the newsroom. The Citizen was not that it failed to present a diversity of views, but that it was secretly funded by the government."
INSTITUUT ~IR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
INSTITUUT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS I
34; I have absolutely no doubt that we will realize this dream, relying on the encouragement of both public and private sedona, as well as the passion and enthusiasm of the masses of our people... among whom we have built .. the engine that must pull us forward towards the real nun-racial, non-sexist, prosperous and peaceful SA that we all destroy. .. perhaps the opportunity will one day provide an opportunity to reveal the components of this engine, which include COetect and realistic policies5 and programs, a reorganized and reshaped government structure5, active cooperation between government, labor and business, and the inclusion of masses of people. Print The request is also of the kind that Moegslen Wllllams tried to describe - an ope that can move away from stereo~and one that is not efff1j3iTas.sed Wss10natefY and unc:om· J.
INSTIT ~ UT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
INSTITUUT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
INSTITUUT VIR ,EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
The spirit of lawlessness and emphasis on punishment for ""'mcour.tge- .communtsm arises through feelings of hostility between. More serious instmmmmts were (oUow, the rudeness of the courts softened the sor:oe: hcnteYtt .
INSTITUUT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS Die Universiteit ·van die Oranje-Vrystaat
But these are far pers is a group in the process of what from complete explanations. It is a fact that I am prepared to argue "PP'! - radically reshape itself to respond to the site, pbticuJarty in the case of titles to, and antiapate, the needs of, say, the· O:pt Tirr .ts and M! T· new South Africa at all levels indud-.
EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
28 HAY 1996
THECITIZEN I
R EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
NtwiDU, bad pr<- can lbey .xpecl WbeD meeliDgs veated aD official from releu· ." 'cruclaJ to the nmniDg r;C goY·. W'neD I!I lilt wu fiDally b .• d ne!f.L a weU· · iiOWii liDlDg compiled by an official of the Roman Emperor.
PRESS
Meetinpof~ will be convened by the company tec:ret.a.ry at the request of the board or oC an editor or of any authority and will according to the prooedu.rea Mt. A is compiled. the curator's decision will be passed by a majority of those entitled to vote who are present at the meeting at which it was not proposed and at which 11 quo.r:wn.
Qwelane
Md former employers hailed .. the greatest publicity or betrayal agnlnst our struggle for justice was perpetrated by the OWDenl or the mainstream press. There will be various reasons put forward by the media for their affectionate treatment of NP ministers in the past, the most important of which could be that there was then no fundamental tree judgment to speak of and that any strong criticism of the ruling clique was likely to end in defamation cases, with NP-appointed judges finding in favor of the nationalist gang.
INSTITUUT \ VIR IOIETYDSE GESKIEDEN!S Die Universiteit van die Oranje-Vrystaat
It is certainly not the kind of culture that we. ask who is the best at something. geneticsUy·incapable of doling out prU5ei expapt /or heartbreaking charity at whidl we me!t in soppy idiots !eiipusly harmful hard.-bitt.::n reputation:. who is ~best politician~.round. to say why it is not someone. Any oumaIist will tell you why this is not the penon you thought of Churchill.
INSTITUUT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS Die Univ ~ rsiteit van die Oranje-Vrystaat
23 JUL 19$
Yesterday, Mr Mbeki said he believed a solution to the hand scar problem could be found, which was confirmed by MJ' Gore, who told W85 on Tuesday to be "cautiously optimistic". THE NATURE of media ownership and the standard of journalism in South Africa is criticized by PAC · BENNIE BUNSEE but claims that (.
INSTITUUTVIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
INSTITUUT-VIR EI!:TVOSE GESKIEOENIS
When Utat Debate·Begins. it will have been informed by CoRltitsk of the depth of the problem. In a statement made in apparent unawareness of the fWlding problems in public libraries, Comtask said public libraries could fairly easily commur.it}, t.
Die Universitei,t van die Oranje-Vrysta8t.. a constitution guarantees the freedom from c)(pressure and includes,.. specific)~ freedom of the press and other medical matters. 34;"accepts this definition and uses the influence of the press as a shield to prevent any form of reporting.
I do not believe that ending dialogue on any issue that affects our society helps us build a stable democracy. We assume that it is true that we have taken this important step of merging the Forum of Black Editors and the Conference of Editors to form the South.
CAPE~ARGUS
You have a voice and control the means to create that voice beard. We have the opposition to influence OD on each other as equals, to intervene.
IN~"ITU~UVIF~ EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
The future. of liberating and strengthening the credibility of the media. emphasizing that independent mt:.dia) in the press:',. It is probably Sanef's mere physical existence that will...! make the organization relevant to social changes. who serve as essential representatives of the true democrat.
INSTlTULJT VIR EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
Tills went a long way in IIlterprClation's apparent difference about the role of the mcdla that had consistently confused the relationship between government and the press, she said III a board. The independent independence of the press under the prc'"IOUS go\'ernment sef'l cdc ANC well.
INSTITUUT VIR . EIETYDSE GESKIEDENIS
THE CITIZEN
1 9 NOV 1996
U NDV 19$
34;8 massive attack" that could harm the government, attributes to them a power - which they simply do not have. And don't believe for one moment that they resent the ANC for "destroying white.
19 NOV 1~
COMMENT
The crux of the president's argument seems to be that he believes black journalists working for white-Imperial.s1 nc1rSpaper companies are so afraid of.
