Masters Degrees (Journalism)

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An analysis of health reporting in three South African women's magazines: Fairlady, Sarie and True Love
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006-12) Mattheyse, Mary (Mary Elizabeth); Claassen, George; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Health reporting in South African women’s magazines has not previously been assessed. Therefore, a content analysis of health reporting in three South African monthly women’s magazines, Sarie (S), Fairlady (F), and True Love (T), was carried out from February 2005–January 2006. Total coverage of health issues was analysed, as well as coverage of 11 specific aspects of health, namely: sexual and reproductive (‘Sexual’), men’s, women’s, cardiac (‘Heart’), spiritual ‘Spirit’), mental and emotional (‘Mental’), diet and nutrition (‘Diet’), sport and exercise (‘Sportex’), health-related items not covered by the other categories (‘General’), pseudoscience with regard to health issues (‘Pseudo’) and parenting and child care (‘Parent’). True Love devoted most space to all health items combined (17,7% of total subject material), compared with 13,8% for Sarie and 11,7 % for Fairlady. The top three categories (20,1%, 19,7% and 16,3% of total health coverage) were the ‘Mental’, ‘General’ and ‘Sexual’ categories, respectively. Comparisons of categories among the magazines showed the following trends for the most coverage: ‘Sexual’ (T); women’s (F), ‘Spirit’ (T), ‘Mental’ (S); and ‘Diet’ (F). T was the only magazine to carry articles in the ‘Parent’ category. However, statistical analyses showed that the only significant differences were in women’s (F>T); ‘Spirit’ (F>S; T>S); ‘Mental' (S>F) and ’Diet’ (F>S). The reporting in the magazines was not found to be balanced as regards the emphasis given to certain aspects of health. The most striking imbalance was that no information was given regarding prevention of HIV/Aids, now the leading cause of death in South Africa.
An analysis of racial stereotyping of the South African Police in the television programmes Carte Blanche and Special Assignment from August 2003 to September 2004
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-04) Gerbi, Giovanna Maria; Wasserman, Herman; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this assignment is to examine two investigative journalism programmes in South Africa, namely Carte Blanche and SpecialAssignment in order to ascertain whether two South African policing organisations have been subjected to racist stereotyping on these two programmes. Both these programmes are held in high esteem within South African and international media circles. Carte Blanche has won many awards, such as the prestigious eNN African Journalist of the Year Award in 2002. Special Assignment won the equivalent award in 2001. The approaches and styles in revealing the truth by using investigative forms of journalism are however slightly different. Both Carte Blanche and Special Assignment have produced stories from August 2003 to September 2004 that have exposed corruption within the South African policing organisations. Many of the perpetrators within the police force were identified as people of colour. This assignment therefore aims to discover whether racist stereotyping exists in this niche of investigative journalism television programmes. This opens up the possibility for these portrayals to be seen as stereotypical, since the dominant press codes in South Africa stipulates that reference to 'race' in news reporting should only be done where it will contribute significantly to understanding the subject matter or if the reference to the race of the person is particularly applicable. This assignment aims to discover whether racist stereotyping exists in this niche of investigative journalism television programmes. The research method comprised analysing programmes on Carte Blanche and Special Assignment that dealt with the South African policing organisations from August 2003 to September 2004. The original transcripts of the programmes were retrieved from the relevant websites of Carte Blanche and Special Assignment and have also been studied. Sources on media ethics as well as newspaper and magazine articles dealing with the South African policing organisations, crime and corruption were scrutinized in order to provide background information for the study. The analyses of the programmes was complemented by interviews conducted with the investigative journalists at the helm of the two programmes, namely, Ruda Landman from Carte Blanche and Jessica Pitchford from Special Assignment.
An analysis of the policy governing broadcasting news in contemporary South Africa, using Hanberger’s model
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Griesel, Jenny; Botma, Gabriel; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the South African constitutional democracy, the state is responsible for ensuring that people have access to information, in order to make informed decisions and participate in democratic life. This responsibility is enshrined in the Constitution through the right to access information and the freedom of the media. The state enables constitutional imperatives via legislation. The broadcasting news policy is implemented via a Chapter 9 organisation, namely the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The operation of this organisation is also provided for in the Constitution.This study is a policy analysis of the policy governing electronic news in contemporary South Africa, with a specific focus on free-to-air national television. Using Hanberger’s model as a framework to steer the research, this study examines whether the current policy is achieving its aims. Normative theory provides the theoretical point of departure, as the study questions whether the policy is effectively contributing to an informed population in the country, in order to further democracy. Using a qualitative research approach, the research methodology included a content analysis of free-to-air television news bulletins on SABC3 and ETV, analysis of documents related to the policy, and interviews with stakeholders.The study found that the South African public is being under-serviced with television news that lacks both depth and a diversity of viewpoints, that television newsrooms are under-resourced, and that owing to gaps in the policy, television stations produce the bare minimum of news. Additionally, the study revealed that the implementing organisation ICASA is inadequately fulfilling its function in various ways and has lost sight of its purpose. Other findings were that the country lacks an essential, legal definition of news, that the policy is managed in a superficial manner, and that there is a clear need for the policy to be revised and updated to accommodate the many shifts which have occurred in the socio-economic landscape and in the media environment since the policy’s inception 25 years ago.
Beyond the barriers : HIV prevention and treatment in South African public sector - a Western Cape Science Communication Study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-04) Yeager, Valerie (Valerie Ann); Claassen, George; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work provides a comprehensive overview of the South African HIV/AIDS epidemic. It examines the historical and social background of the HIV/AIDS situation and looks at the importance of the media and science communication in combating the effects of the epidemic on society. This research explores the different forms of health communication and the varied benefits of each. Overall, it highlights positive media efforts that have helped redirect the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the social and political context of the HIV epidemic in South Africa. The second half of this work covers the challenges experienced in gaining publicsector antiretroviral treatment and the roles the media have played in informing and mobilizing society for these efforts. Through a community clinic ethnographic case study this work explores the current state of treatment clinics, social challenges experienced in the Usapho Lwethu Clinic of Gugulethu and the future of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa.
Blogs in the mainstream media : an exploration of a code of ethical conduct for j-bloggers at Die Burger Western Cape
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2008-03) De Vries, Florence; Botma, Gabriel; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
With the advent of new communication technologies, traditional journalism has continually had to adjust to new contexts. In 2006, the Western Cape daily newspaper Die Burger established a blogging section as part of its website. Presently j-bloggers (journalists who are bloggers) still work according to Die Burger’s current ethical code of conduct. Yet the establishment of j-blogs at Die Burger has raised a number of questions regarding the ethical conduct of journalists in this medium. This study attempts to show that the mainstream ethical concepts of accuracy, fairness and the use of anonymous sources may be interpreted differently in the medium of blogging and explores the feasibility of a code of conduct for j-bloggers at Die Burger. Die Burger’s code of conduct is compared with various bloggers’ codes of conduct. The study argues that Die Burger’s code of conduct offers more comprehensive guidelines for journalists than most bloggers’ codes. These guidelines include protecting the newspaper’s reading public from harm. However, it was also found that the different interpretations of ethical concepts on blogs need to be considered in a code of conduct for j-bloggers. In this study, the composition of a code of conduct for j-bloggers was discussed with j-bloggers, print journalists and several other stakeholders at Die Burger. The participants in this study argued that a code of conduct for j-bloggers may be feasible but that it should operate in addition to Die Burger’s current code of conduct. Furthermore, this study argues two normative theories of the press – the social responsibility and democratic-participant theories – intersect in a discussion of ethical codes for j-bloggers. Using this theoretical framework, the study aims to describe specific guidelines for the ethical conduct of j-bloggers at Die Burger.
Brick walls or brick columns? : management responses to the challenge of sustainability in community radio with special reference to Bush Radio and Radio Zibonele
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-04) Mati, Shepherd A.; Retief, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Community radio stations in South Africa are faced with a huge challenge to become sustainable in the process of serving their communities. The issue of sustainability itself is complex and shaped by a range of conditionalities. These include community participation, funding, regulatory and licencing factors, staff and management expertise, and the strategic planning and management capacity of a station. Often the communities themselves are materially poor and unable to contribute in monetary terms to the radio station. However, these same communities are also a source of wealth when it comes to experience, ideas, human power and time. A major challenge is for station management to develop organisational strategies that facilitate full utilisation of this community resource in the process of sustaining their stations. The focus of this study is on two stations in the Western Cape - Bush Radio and Radio Zibonele - and how their management is responding to the challenge of sustainability. Bush Radio has evolved a diversification strategy based on providing formal training and development as an income-generator, and Radio Zibonele has responded through a strategy of selling airtime to advertisers. This work describes these sustainability strategies and explores whether they constitute 'building a brick column or a brick wall'. The conclusion suggests that while both radio stations demonstrate varying degrees of community participation, clear internal systems of monitoring and control of resources, they differ in some fundamental respects of strategy. Bush Radio, on the one hand, shows a clear commitment to consciously diversifying income sources in a way that does not leave the station highly dependent on any single source. This, the writer submits, constitutes an attempt at building a "brick wall". Radio Zibonele, on the other hand, shows a clear commitment to consolidation and reliance on advertising revenue as a single source of income for the station. To the extent that this station relies on a single source of income and does not demonstrate any strategic objective of diversifying sources, the writer submits, it is building a "brick column". The basic assumption of this study is that while the challenge of sustainability constitutes an objective reality facing community radio stations in South Africa today, the subjective responses developed by station management to deal with this challenge can and often do make a difference.
Burgerlike joernalistiek in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks : 'n ondersoek na die insluiting van gemarginaliseerde gemeenskappe deur herberaming met verwysing na projekte van die Cape Argus en Kaapse-Rapport
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-04) Truter, Charlene; Wasserman, Herman; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since South Africa’s transition from a nationalistic state to a democracy in 1994, debates about the media’s role have intensified as the challenges and complexities of the South African society unfolded. In this debate, which mainly played out between the government and the media, the liberal theory and the developmental theory were used as the two main normative positions from which to contest the media’s role. As normative theories they describe the ideal role of the press within societal systems and thus fall within the functionalist paradigm. Historically, the liberal approach was seen as the accepted normative framework for the media within a democracy to protect that very democracy. The liberal consensus adopted by the post-apartheid media therefore came as no surprise. However, the optimism initially experienced regarding the independence of the new, liberal media, its professionalisation and economic restructuring, is gradually being challenged by the critical perspective. This perspective questions the extent of transformation in a public sphere where entrance is still restricted by class structures. The argument of this paper is that although the above changes to the media landscape are recognised as important, they do not account for issues of class and how the poor, the spaces they live in and the factors impacting on their lives, are framed by the media. This paper is presented as a normative undertaking and presents civic journalism as alternative normative framework. It moves from the premise that the representations afforded to the poor in die media are being hampered by the individualistic aims of the Western, liberal, journalistic tradition. The argument is further that the use of a community-driven approach should lead to broader representation of the poor in the media and the inclusion of this currently marginalised group in the public sphere. Reframing, one of the most important methods of civic journalism, is singled out to explore the possibility of applying civic journalism to the South African context. The motivation for this paper is the belief that the need exists for a greater plurality of voices and discourses.
Change management in the information age : a case study of a niche publication
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-03) Strauss, Lizl; Rabe, Lizette; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This is a study of media management in the publication industry under conditions of rapid environmental change. The study focuses on a particular case, The Mannequin, a niche publication serving many purposes. The study finds that environmental change creates major challenges for commercial survival. Explicit change management procedures are required. The study recommends a set of change management procedures suitable for small, niche market publications. It then recommends avenues for further research.
Changes and challenges in the face of digital disruptions at community print newspapers of Boland Media and WP Media : perspectives from the newsroom
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Van der Spuy, Michelle; Botma, Gabriel; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Community print newspapers in South Africa have not been immune to the consequences of the digital disruption on the media landscape in general and the print media industry in particular. While research has been conducted on the changes and challenges the digital disruption has caused in the print media industry, there is a lack of research on how this phenomenon has affected the newsrooms of community print newspapers in South Africa. This study employed a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach as theoretical framework to examine the changes and challenges journalists working at community print newspapers in South Africa experience in their newsrooms. Interviews were conducted with nine community journalists from a number of community newspapers published in the Western Cape by Boland Media and WP Media. The researcher explored their experiences with and perspectives on changes and challenges in the newsroom, the way these journalists function in an online environment, the role of community newspapers in the communities they serve, the quality of community newspapers in South Africa as well as what the participants in this study believe the future may hold for these publications. The researcher found that while there are in fact a number of changes and challenges present in the participants’ newsrooms, this does not hamper their passion for or quality of their work.
Children on e : a qualitative and quantitative study of children's rights on the e-TV News agenda
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-03) Rutter, Chantal Antonia; Wasserman, Herman; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Television is a powerful tool in the diffusion of information to the masses. It is therefore influential in the way society perceives and responds to children, and in so doing it has an influence on the provision and protection of children's rights. According to international and locally conducted studies children are not high on the media agenda, are seldom given a voice or status, and if they are, issues around them are mostly formulated by adults. This assignment sets out to determine whether the same conclusion can be drawn from South African free-to-air television station e-TV. In particular it seeks to establish whether e- News has been successful in placing children's rights in on the public agenda or whether it has reported on children in an ad hoc manner. Children's human rights issues have been defined in accordance with the United Nation's Children's Rights Charter and the South African Bill of Rights, which makes specific provision for the child/children. This assignment takes its lead from a Media Monitoring Project study. Like the MMP report this research is conducted within a human rights framework and concedes according to Section 28 (2) of the Constitution that "the child's best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child". The methodology employed in this assignment, while replicating a Media Monitoring Project study, also employs discourse analysis in the form of interviews and questionnaires conducted with e-News members of staff. The methodology was applied to a sample of 71 stories which included reference to a child or children and which were broadcast on e-News Live at 7 and e-News live at 10 between January and August 2004. In brief it was found that the rights to privacy, dignity and freedom of speech were satisfactorily upheld (as per the Bill of Rights), but that issues about children are mostly sourced by and commented on by adults. Furthermore it was found that children's rights do not form an implicit part of the e-News agenda. Given that a human rights framework is normative for e-News, it is recommended that children's rights be placed in context, that stories challenge stereotypes about children and that e- News should consider appointing 'children's correspondents'.
Choosing to be part of the story : the participation of the South African National Editors’ Forum in the democratising process
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Barratt, Elizabeth; Rabe, Lizette; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
This study aims to locate the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) within South Africa’s transformation from apartheid to a nonracial and constitutional democracy. This entails first examining the potential for participation demonstrated by editors’ societies at different democratic stages and defining the ideal democratic roles of journalism. The recent political history of journalism in the country is summarised to draw out the particular obstacles to editors’ unity and the transformation needs in South Africa’s racialised context. Then the forum’s history from 1995 to 2000 is reconstructed in detail using documentary sources. This covers the formation and launch periods of Sanef, and the next couple of years of the forum’s existence. This study is described as a historical, qualitative inquiry from the inside, observing both the sequence of events and the motives related to the context and to concepts of democratic role. It is unusual in that it is a historical study of a journalism society and it uses journalism theories to guide the research and the analysis. The research shows that despite having to overcome divisive issues from their past, the editors chose to play their part across all democratic roles: liberal, social democratic, neoliberal and participative. Activities were mostly linked to the current democratic stage. Many involved the self-transformation of journalism and journalists, leading to the suggestion of a fifth role for journalism in emerging democracies. However, some Sanef projects were not completed despite their significance for democratic journalism and others had no strategic rationale. This study recommends that Sanef be more strategic in its activities and look to other emerging democracies for appropriate solutions to problems. It is suggested that failing to do so could result in more complex problems for journalism in South Africa in the future. Finally, it is noted that the existence of a stable and prominent forum giving editors, senior journalists and journalism educators a united voice in areas of common interest in itself lends serious weight to their democratic participation.
Cloning in the news : an analysis of how the science and ethics of cloning are reported in three daily newspapers of Cape Town
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-04) Van der Linden, Cornelis Albert; Claassen, George; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Cloning is a topic that has long fascinated people. It has imbedded itself into popular culture, but studies show that the general public has, at best, only a vague understanding of what cloning entails. Alternatively, their perception has been skewed by that very same popular culture. However, cloning is a complex scientific subject that has considerable ethical implications. It is the kind of topic that people in a deliberate democracy should know about. The media play an important role in the education of the public with regards to science and technology. However, the media have the potential to do more than provide the basic facts. In fact, the media can play an important role in influencing the actions and opinions of the public. It is therefore a responsibility of the media to provide accurate information on scientific developments, such as cloning. Objective: An analysis of three daily newspapers in the Western Cape was carried out to determine how cloning is reported. The broad topics addressed were whether the coverage focused on the ethical or scientific aspects of cloning, if the subject was reported in a positive or negative tone, and whether the science of cloning was adequately explained. Methodology: A quantitative content analysis was completed of a sample of 69 articles. These articles were all those relating to cloning that appeared in three daily newspapers (Cape Argus, Cape Times and Die Burger) over a period of one year from 10 November 2002 to 10 November 2003. Findings: Of all the articles analysed 34% focused on the scientific aspects, 21% focused on the ethical aspects, 6% focused on both ethics and science, while 39% focused on neither. Fifty two percent of articles dealing specifically with animal cloning focused on the science, while only 4% focused on the ethics. However, in articles dealing specifically with human cloning, more (30%) emphasised ethical aspects than scientific aspects (20%). With regards to tone of coverage, 32% of all the articles analysed were positive, 28% negative, and 40% neutral. Sixty percent of articles dealing specifically with animal cloning featured a positive tone, while only 13% of articles exclusively about human cloning had a positive tone. This 13% was comprised of articles on therapeutic rather than reproductive cloning. In terms of explaining the science associated with cloning, only 30% of articles provided an explicit explanation. Potential threats to the accuracy of explaining science were found to exist. Conclusions: While the overall findings were somewhat indistinct it seemed that when the media of the Western Cape reported on the cloning of animals it was done with a positive tone and emphasised the scientific aspects. Reporting on human cloning tended to feature a negative tone and emphasised the ethical aspects. The large number of ‘neutral’ results for both the ‘tone’ and 'science or ethics’ variables could indicate that the media were wishing to remain neutral. However, the large number of neutral articles relating to the ‘science or ethics’ variable could have a negative impact on public understanding. The small number of articles explaining cloning and an emphasis on ‘breakthrough’ news stories could also have a negative impact on public understanding.
Closing online comments: A case study of News24
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) McKenzie, Roy Douglas; Botma, Gabriel; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines how the decision by News24, South Africa’s biggest news website, to close down its comments facility impacted both the media product and perceptions about the state of public discourse in South Africa. Commenting forums can be considered one of the thorniest challenges for online news publications. Ideally, comments allow readers to participate in vibrant online discussions about key issues and give instant feedback, taking the traditional letter to the editor of a newspaper one step further. This online public sphere has become an essential ingredient of a news website, increasing engagement and fostering healthy debate which serves a normative purpose by advancing democracy and social discourse. However, the reality is somewhat more complex, as the freedom of expression in commenting forums can become a free-for-all, with emboldened readers taking advantage of the anonymity and distance afforded by such forums to express themselves in abusive ways they may ordinarily not have. A range of positivistic and critical theories are used, including uses and gratification, gate-keeping, the normative public sphere and critical political economy, to investigate the management considerations informing the decision to close the comments facility, the reactions of staff, and the implications for News24 and perceptions about the state of public debate in South Africa. It is a case study that uses both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in the form of interviews, an online survey, and content analysis of over 1600 comments. This study found that News24’s decision was based on reputational and legal concerns, and was also influenced by local and international competitors who grappled with similar issues and decided to either partially or fully close their commenting facilities. It also found the move to steer commenting to social media, particularly Facebook, could be seen as an effort to absolve News24 of the responsibility of moderating comments, but also resulted in a loss of engagement.
The coalface of journalism: A qualitative research investigation into development communication objectives amongst rural newspapers in the Overberg District
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Galant, Raashied; Ogada, J.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
This thesis explores how six commercial local newspapers based in the towns of Swellendam, Bredasdorp, Caledon and Gansbaai are reporting on gender and HIV/AIDS in ways that may help to shift specific attitudes as well as to generate appropriate community responses. The overall aim of the study is to advance theories around the location of commercial news media in the development context. It also aims to inform and empower development workers and activists on the opportunities or pitfalls in engaging with rural local media to advance their development goals. In most prior studies into the nature of gender or HIV/AIDS reporting in the media in South Africa, the focus has been exclusively on mainstream corporate and/or urbanbased media titles and very little investigation has been done into the performance of small ruralbased media. The study employs two methods of data collection namely, a quantitative content analysis of newspapers and structured interviews with the editors of the papers, and a sample group of government employees and community activists in the respective towns. The structured interviews provide a qualitative dimension to the content analysis, bearing in mind the dangers of quantifying media content and making isolated judgements on the actual context of journalistic practice. Through the interviews, the researcher has been able to explore the extent to which the perceptions of the media editors visavis a public interest role with respect to gender and HIV/AIDS actually differs from the quantitative evidence of their performance and the perceptions of key informants in their communities. The findings of the study suggest that local rural media hold out great hope with respect to the advancement of development communication goals through commercial media platforms. The editors in the four towns have established organic connections with their community, albeit tenuous, but which extend into the ranks of development workers in their towns. The data from the content analysis suggests that women enjoy high visibility in the pages of their local papers, and they are most likely to be portrayed as positive achievers than as women encountering violence. The tenuous nature of the connections between editor and community are most starkly evident around the issue of HIV/AIDS, with coverage of this being very low despite much work being undertaken in the community to deal with the pandemic. With respect to the issue of gender, there was demonstrable evidence from actual examples of content, that showed on the one hand the capacity to motivate for change in women's lives, but also on the other hand a danger of reinforcing attitudes that compound women's oppression. The study offers recommendations to a range of roleplayers to ensure, firstly, the continued survival of local rural newspapers, and also support in building capacity to see these papers mature into journalism products that are integrative and transformative.
The commercial mainstream news media’s portrayal of the South African farmer in the 21st century: An exploratory study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Botha, Isabeau; Botma, Gabriel; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The image of the South African farmer in the 21st century is arguably still rooted in a colonial construct. The portrayal of the farmer is especially relevant in relation to current media coverage surrounding fear and uncertainty about land expropriation in South Africa. The land reform crisis foregrounds issues pertaining to marginalised black farmers and stigmatised white farmers in response to the racialised hegemony of a superior colonial farmer identity. However, in a nascent democratic society still characterised by inequality and polarisation, it is inspiring that certain people’s perceptions about Others, namely farmers who do not fit the colonial farmer norm, might slowly be changing. The question is whether such transformative discourses about farmer identity are visible in South Africa’s commercial mainstream news media, who has the power to influence public perception. Academic research about the portrayal of the farmer in the mainstream media is still limited, especially in the South African context. This exploratory study aims to discover how farmers are represented in certain South African commercial mainstream news media, namely The Citizen, News24, Netwerk24, TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE, City Press, Mail & Guardian and Independent Online (IOL). The theoretical point of departure is the conflict between stereotypical and nuanced representation, especially relating to the use of language in news selection and presentation. This study’s chosen theoretical framework is Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), with the Foucaultdian concept of representation as discourse as the basis for an exploration of how the combination of power/knowledge might influence the portrayal of farmers. This exploratory study used CDA to analyse the relationship between these publications’ portrayal of farmers on the one hand, and their own ideological preferences and their perceived audiences on the other. The concept of the critical discourse moment is employed to direct the sampling of this study, with land expropriation without compensation as the chosen moment. A CDA of news media coverage of farmers in the mentioned publications during 2018 found that the discourse of fear visible in land expropriation debates is countered by a discourse of collaboration, which challenges the colonial farmer construct as well as the Othering of farmers. Although examples were found of representations of certain groups that allude to continued power struggles based on divisions and presuppositions created through colonialism and apartheid, evidence was also found of stereotypes about both white and black farmers being contested. Farmers as well as other agricultural role players can arguably be powerful actors in new knowledge construction about farmers in the commercial mainstream South African news media.
A comparative analysis of the coverage of science news in Cape Town newspapers
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2008-03) Turner, Gillian Kim; Claassen, George; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
The 21st century is less than a decade old, but it is already evident that South Africans will need to improve their scientific literacy (that is, their knowledge about science, the environment and health) if they are to become active citizens in a world which is dominated more and more by complicated scientific and technological advances. It is a world in which average people are increasingly required to understand and make appropriate local decisions regarding numerous scientific debates, including alternative energy sources, climate change and new medical techniques. For most South Africans, the press is their main source of science news. Thus, a huge responsibility rests on the shoulders of newspaper journalists to empower their readers with scientific knowledge and to share the excitement that comes from discovering more about how the universe works. It is within this context that the question arises as to how Cape Town’s newspapers cover science news. Having determined from a review of the literature that a large knowledge gap existed in this field, it was decided to conduct research about science coverage in three daily newspapers (the Cape Argus, the Cape Times and Die Burger) and three weekend newspapers (the Saturday Argus, the Sunday Argus and the Saturday edition of Die Burger) in Cape Town. The quantitative research method of content analysis was employed in order to provide statistical evidence for the study’s problem statement, namely that science news is covered very differently in the six newspapers. This exploratory comparative analysis formed the bulk of the research. The qualitative research methods of surveys and in-depth interviews with the newspapers’ specialist science writers were then used to address the thesis of the study, namely that the science writers are “gatekeepers” (as predicted by the theoretical model of gatekeeping) and that their education, knowledge, interests, beliefs about science, attitudes towards their reporting, and interactions with editors within the newspaper structures determine the science coverage in their newspapers. Thus, this study asks (primarily) what science is covered, and (secondarily) why. The content analysis yielded a wealth of information which confirmed that the six newspapers cover science news very differently, while the surveys and interviews with the science writers validated the prediction that they are the dominant (but not the only) influence on the coverage of science in their newspapers. This study’s goal is to provide a comprehensive comparative overview of the coverage of science news in Cape Town’s newspapers, which will not only create a foundation for future research, but will also provide useful information for the six newspapers, their science writers and editors. Key words: Cape Argus, Cape Times, Cape Town, Die Burger, environment, gatekeeping, health, journalism, media, newspaper, reporter, Saturday Argus, science, South Africa, Sunday Argus, technology.
A comparative study of the factors affecting the growth/development of the rural community newspaper the Zoutpansberger and Mirror, Northern Province
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-12) Lubinga, Elizabeth Nviri; Rabe, Lizette; Retief, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The print media, especially newspapers, play an important role in providing information in any society. In the rural communities of South Africa, information available to the people is scanty. Growth of a newspaper is necessary if a newspaper is to fulfil its duties. The Zoutpansberger and Mirror are two of the few local newspapers that circulate in the Far North Region of the Northern Province. The Zoutpansberger, which started in 1985, has experienced negative growth in the various departments of the newspaper, while the Mirror, which started in September 1990, has experienced slow growth. Several factors have been responsible for this. Therefore, there was a need to examine and compare the factors that have affected the growth/development of the newspapers over ten years. The aims and objectives of the study are to examine and compare the factors that affect the growth and development of the Zoutpansberger and Mirror, give suggestions to facilitate future growth and the best ways of utilising the available resources. A literature survey was carried out to get the perspectives of other researchers. Data was collected after conducting personal interviews, using the interview schedule. It was analysed and interpreted with the use of graphs and charts. The findings reveal that economic, social, cultural and geographical factors affect the growth of the newspaper. A few recommendations have been given to highlight ways in which the paper can make full use of the available resources.
Country reputation management : identifying the drivers of South Africa’s reputation in German media
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Christelis, Desiree; Rabe, Lizette; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
Although reputation management has historically been restricted to companies or other organisational entities, countries are also increasingly concerned with their reputation relative to other countries and have started to actively measure and manage that reputation1. Over the past years, the Republic of South Africa has begun to professionally streamline its own reputation management activities, specifically by establishing the International Marketing Committee (IMC) in August 2000. South African Tourism, the media division of the South African diplomatic sector and even South African Airways are other reputation management vehicles that have been working toward emanating a comprehensive marketing and communication message from South Africa to other countries. The basis of good reputation management is to first measure such reputation2. It is also important to know what aspects are the main drivers of such reputation. Using the content of specific German newspapers as data body, this study determines the drivers of South Africa’s media reputation in Germany. In order to accurately set the scene for an analysis of South Africa’s reputation, a thorough situation analysis on the country is conducted. This situation analysis forms the backbone for the methodology used further on to investigate the drivers of South Africa’s reputation in specific German media. To this end, a large part of the situation analysis looks at South Africa in terms of Germany and a study is conducted on the relationship between Germany and South Africa as well as the potential stakeholders of South Africa’s media reputation in Germany. It is also important to know what current efforts in terms of reputation management are. After studying the history of South Africa’s reputation management activities, members of today’s reputation management vehicles are interviewed and an overview of South African reputation management efforts currently active in Germany is provided. The reputation management activities of other countries are briefly explored and specifically the lessons from other countries’ efforts are highlighted. Subsequently, the reputational dimensions that positively or negatively drive South Africa’s reputation in specific German media are determined. To this end, a content analysis is conducted on the seven German national daily newspapers, Börsen- Zeitung, Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Financial Times Deutschland, Handelsblatt and Süddeutsche Zeitung3 over a period of 20 months. The findings made culminate in suggestions for South Africa’s future reputation management activities in Germany.
Covering the GMO issue : an overview for South African science reporters
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-03) Frost, Carolyn; Booyens, Bun; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim and function of this paper is to provide a balanced account of how the media, international and South African, have dealt with the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A selection of interviews, presentations, articles, transcripts and published reports forms the background of this interpretation, and offers insight into the history of the technology, the major role players, the legislation required and implemented, the question of environmental accountability, and the power of the media's influence. It addresses aspects of the causal relationship between the media and public understanding, and the subsequent power of the consumer as manifested by the perception of risk. The central theme of genetic engineering conjures up a variety of meanings and applications, and the plethora of available information is evaluated in an attempt to develop informed understanding for reporters covering the many dimensions of this development within the arena of science and technology.
Creating expectations : the bioethics of genetics as reflected in selected South African media with specific reference to CRISPR-Cas9
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Rademan, Anna Elizabeth; Claassen, George; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the era of genetic engineering, the CRISPR-Cas9 system has been hailed as one of the most important genetic discoveries and is often discussed in terms of its momentous potential applications on health. However, from a bioethical perspective, the technology poses several challenges with regards to safety, regulation and human enhancement. The field of genetic engineering and bioethics have moved from academic journals to the mass media. The news media’s reporting on complex bioethical issues such as CRISPR-Cas9 can influence the public’s perception and understanding thereof. Literature confirms that the news media, as part of the public domain, also shape subsequent ethical policies and regulations. Therefore, this study aims to investigate expectations that the South African media create surrounding the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system. In the South African context, academic research in this area is still limited. Situated in the field of journalism studies, this study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative content analysis of CRISPR-Cas9 related articles from the top 10 most popular South African news media sites between January 2013 and June 2019. The study extended knowledge in the field of science and bioethics reporting in the South African news media. Certain problems were observed with regards to evidence-based science journalism as not enough attention was given to specific research applications or methodological aspects of CRISPR-Cas9 and therefore it is difficult for the audience to separate science hype from evidence-based research. The bioethical debate is evident in the articles analysed and showed the tension between the promotion of science but also the caution towards the risks of CRISPR-Cas9. These risks include technical, ethical, legal, and social aspects that need to be addressed before it will be ethically acceptable to use the technology on the human germline. The media play a pivotal part in facilitating the public debate and encouraging public discussion about the governance of the technology. The theory of framing played an important role, and the use of frames can be useful as an aid to explanation and creating cultural and social meaning. However, the choice of frames should be carefully considered because they may misrepresent and mislead public perception of the technology. The news media should perhaps not resurrect old frames such as the Frankenstein myth but instead develop new meaningful metaphors together with evidence-based science journalism.

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