Browsing by Author "Van Zyl, Lizma"

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    Stellenbosch Media Forum 2003
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2003) De Swardt, Salie; Moos, Ainsley; Froneman, Johannes; Wrottesley, Stephen; Shaikh, Mohamed; Pelesa, Mmuso; Sidego, Conrad; Ansell, Gwen; Van Zyl, Lizma; De Beer, A.S.; Mchunu, Sandile; Wiese, Tobie; Rabe, Lizette; Pestana, Cathy; Jordaan, Willem; Joubert, Jan-Jan; Nxasana, Sizwe; Kruger, Anne; Hoffman, Gerjo; Wasserman, Herman; Binge, Herman; Du Plessis, Tim; Booyens, Bun; Malan, Mia; Van der Vyfer, Marita
    "Die sorgsame inagneming van die geskiedenis is deel van sy verantwoordelikheid. Maar terselfdertyd is vernuwing dwingend deel van sy taak," skryf die kanselier, prof. Elize Botha, in die Universiteit van Stellenbosch se jongste jaarverslag oor die rol van die nuwe rektor in die "Heiligen Hailen" van hierdie besonderse universiteit op hierdie besonderse dorp in hierdie besonderse land -in hierdie besonderse tyd. Die woorde van Prof Elize, wat haar loopbaan as joernalis begin het, en onder andere ook 'n lid van Naspers se moederdireksie is, kan ook op ons departement toegepas word. Ook op die joernalistiek en die media. Die geskiedenis is deel van ons verantwoordelikheid. En dit moet verreken word. Nie verniet nie is ons die "geskiedskrywers op galop" - "history in a hurry". Maar ewe veel is dit die joernalistiek en die media se rol om 'n katalisator te wees vir die dwingende vernuwing op alle terreine in ons gemeenskappe en in ons land. Die Departement Joernalistiek, wat met hierdie jubileumuitgawe 25 jaar van joernalistiek-opleiding aan die US vier, het, soos die media die afgelope 25 jaar, deur sy eie transformasie gegaan. Van mense, tegnologie, kursus-inhoud. Dit was altyd 'n departement aan't morfeer, 'n weerspieeling van die mediabedryf self. Reg van die begin af. Wie van daardie eerste klas in 1978 onthou nie die terugkoms na die winterwegbreek, en die afvaardiging wat die professor in sy eie "Oval Office" gaan spreek het nie? Moet 'n mens ook byvoeg, 'n professor wat vinnig agter teekoppies (en natuurlik, ook die vrug van die omgewing) in 'n Pa Piet getransformeer het. Dit het gegaan oor die Vreeslike Verskrikking, by name Shorthand en Snelskrif. Oulike studente - soos wat die departement nog altyd gehad het - het naamlik in die vakansie 'n groot ontdekking gemaak. Dit staan nie in die boek van die lewe, oftewel die jaarboek, dat die twee S'e deurgekom moet word om die kursus te slaag nie. En: het Sy Eminensie dalk al van bandopnemers gehoor? Die kursus is summier getransformeer na een waar die Piet slegs maar 'n beroep kon doen op ons om tog maar ter wille van die joernalistiek te probeer. Dit was die begin, glo sommige van ons graag, van die tegnologiese revolusie in die media. Een van daardie eerste klas se studente, ons eie "verdwaalde hippie", het immers toe al gedroom van 'n rekenaarprogram waarvoor jy slegs maar die inligting invoer, 'n knoppie druk, en die rekenaar prut voort op die storie. Sonder die pyn en lyding van 'n intro skryf. En herskryf en weer skryf. En dan poleer tot hy blink, en dan die tweede paragraaf, en so voort tot die laaste pynlike paragraaf. But let's take the focus back to the department. It has developed in such a way that it today delivers multi-skilled, multi-media beginner-journalists to the industry in its BPhil programme (the former BHons). In its master's programme it gives practising Journalists an opportunity to "sharpen the sword." And for those who want to take it even further, the DPhil in journalism is in place. At the same time we have literally moved from the old black Olivetti's and "takes" to state of the art computers, complete with digital editing programmes for TV production - shot on digital video cameras. Yet, beyond the practical skills, the department has built a reputation of delivering well-rounded beginners, those with not only exceptional practical skills, but especially with exceptional conceptual skills. Journalists who are able to analyse and contextualise - the most important skills for the profession. This is thanks to the lecturers who over the years contributed to build the department's curriculum. From founder-professor Piet Cillie, to his successor Johannes Grosskopf, to the third head, George Claassen, plus all their co-lecturers. This past 25 years have also seen our media developing from the "most free" oppressed media in the world to a media where freedom of expression as entrenched in our constitution sets an example to the world. The media's role in our so-called "fledgling democracy", however, is more important than ever. And we need to train future Journalists who will have the knowledge, the skills, the passion and the heart to serve our democracy, and to be servants to our people. For the standards set, and the challenges to live up to, I want to thank all who went through the front door of Protea, 26 Crozier Street, over this past 25 years. Thank you for your example. And wishing success and sweet years of learning and discovering to all those who still have to experience Stellenbosch in springtime.
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    Too cosy for comfort? : a media ethical investigation into the Presidential Press Corps
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-03) Van Zyl, Elizabeth Margaretha; Van Zyl, Lizma; Wasserman, Herman; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Govemment and the media are in the process of establishing South Africa's first Presidential Press Corps (PPC) based on the White House Press Corps in the United States of America. The need for a body like the Presidential Press Corps (PPC) has become increasingly evident as the recent relationship between the South African president and this country's press can only be characterised as poor. The establishment of the PPC potentially presents an ethical dilemma though due to various factors. A joumalist can only serve the public with the most comprehensive and accurate news when his or her finger is on the pulse of events that take place within the decision-making bodies. However, being so close to those in power may seriously threaten journalistic independence. This dilemma would be discussed in detail in this assignment. In May 200 I, the troubled relationship between Mbeki and the media was tackled at an Indaba between the South African National Editor's Forum (SANEF) and cabinet at Sun City. The crux and outcome of these discussions are set forth in The lf/oy Fo/wOld, a report prepared by those attending the Indaba. The establishment of the PPC is one of eight joint government and media initiatives outlined in this report. Although there is overwhelming support for the Pl'C, there is concern that the Pl'C members would be censored, manipulated and controlled by government as a result of their proximity. The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) believes the implications are far reaching and pose a serious threat to a free press. This first group of Pl'C journalists is going where no other has gone before in this country's history. They are however facing a daunting task, as the arena they are entering is fraught with novelties, challenges, obstacles and temptations. This assignment will examine the media's role in a democracy, the challenges of far closer cooperation between the media and government, the ethical dilemma potentially presented by the Pl'C as well as ways to ensure as far as possible, an ethical and professional relationship between government and the corps's members.