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What happens when the media gets it wrong?
In South Africa the media is an 
important part of the relatively new democracy. Free speech and the right to information are vital elements of moving forward from South Africa’s dark past towards a society that is equal and prosperous. But the role of the media is often steeped in controversy, including misquotes and corruption. It is not always a medium of freedom and impartiality. So, what happens when the media gets it wrong?
In a bold move Mandy Wiener recently launched a book called Killing Kebble: An Exposed Underworld. The murder of Brett Kebble shocked the country and received extensive coverage. But in an exclusive interview with one of the policemen who were first on the scene of the crime, Weiner dispels a number of conspiracy theories surrounding Kebble’s death.
Annual Marketing and Media Conference highlights problems in South African media
On 25 November 2010, the who’s who of South African marketing and media attended the Annual Marketing and Media Conference at the Wanderers Club, Johannesburg. During the conference, those in attendance looked back over the past year and measured successes, weighed failures and debated how to address shortcomings. If you look at what went on, the shortcomings are many.
The conference was chaired by Jeremy Maggs and Chris Gibbons and the marketing and media panels contained heavy-weights such as Happy Ntshingila, Absa Group executive, Group Marketing and Communications and Serame Taukobong, MTN Chief marketing officer; and Anastacia Martin, Publisher: Print and Online at Mail & Guardian and Peter Rhoda, General Manager at Independent Online respectively.
Media Matters – broadcast or online?
The Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) online Media Matters initiative was launched three months ago and already has a strong following on Twitter and Facebook. The recent launch of SABC 3’s new media, marketing and current affairs programme, also called Media Matters, has thrown a proverbial spanner in the works. The online organisation feels that there will be too much confusion surrounding the use of the same name by both themselves and the television programme.
The MMA tagline suggests that the focus of its project is “Debating South Africa’s Media”, and it aims to live up to this motto by facilitating discussions on media issues. They last few months have seen the MMA launch a number of exciting new initiatives in an effort to raise the profile of the project.
