Masters Degrees (Journalism)

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An exploration of criticism against the South African media: media experts and academics respond to complaints against the media at the South African Press Council
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Louw-De Wee, Nicolene; Jordaan, Marenet; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the nature of criticism against the South African print and online media during the period 2021 to 2023. Research for this study focuses on complaints against the media submitted to the Press Council and which has been adjudicated by the Press Ombud. The study explores who the complainants are and the nature of the complaints. As a second phase of the study, five media experts share their views on these findings, the state of journalism in South Africa and their views on how public trust in the media can be improved in future. In this exploration the social responsibility theory was used to investigate the role of journalists and their responsibility to ensure true, accurate and fair news is shared with the public they serve. A qualitative research design was chosen for this study and data was gathered in two phases. Firstly, this researcher gathered data from the website of the Press Council, which is in the public domain, on complaints against the press and online media. Through a thematic analysis three themes were identified which assist in answering the research questions. Secondly, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five media experts to gather their views on the state of the media and how public trust in the media can be improved. As part of the discussion of semi-structured interview findings, four themes were identified relating to the nature of complaints against the media, ethical breaches, quality and standards of journalism and public trust in the media. Some of the major findings of the first phase of the study, which relates to complaints at the Press Council, include regular instances of unethical and inaccurate reporting by the print and online media. Fact-checking and a lack of proper editing and mentoring due to limited resources in newsrooms, lead to complaints about misleading headlines and unbalanced reports. In the second phase of the exploration, media experts expressed concern about the digital age and the faster pace at which news is produced which leaves room for error because of the need to be first. The issue of unethical journalism is another cause for concern, leaving some of the participants convinced that print and online journalists are not all familiar with the content of the Press Code and code of ethics for journalism.
Exploring the role of community radio programming in youth empowerment: A case study of Sajonisi Youth Radio (SYR) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Pinyana, Ndlelantle; Botma, Gabriel; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study explored the role of community radio programming on youth empowerment with Sajonisi Youth Radio (SYR) in a rural part of the Eastern Cape used as a case study. The focus was on how programming and programmes in rural based community radio stations effectively enable access to developmental information aimed at youth empowerment in the 21st century. The study identified and analysed programmes that SYR broadcasted aimed at youth empowerment and reflected on the programming process, participatory model as well as exploring the role of journalists in newsgathering practices and newsroom value chain processes. The study further discerned the influence on youth of Port St Johns at both individual and social levels. The study used a qualitative method and referred to development theory. As community radio stations existed to give spotlight to information needs and grassroots community issues that are a day-to-day lived experience of society, the study was in resonance with a development communication paradigm. Data was collected from internal (inside) and external (outside) participants that were significant in shaping the programming and programmes of the radio station. Data gathering process was through semi-structured interviews and documents received from the radio station. As a platform for sustained citizen engagement, the establishment of SYR ought to provide access and empowering knowledge to rural communities, particularly youth. Results showed that the existence of SYR contributed towards youth empowerment and provided access to life-changing socio empowerment programmes.
Sosiale verantwoordelikheid, toegang tot inligting, en nuusmodelle in Suid-Afrika: ’n gevallestudie
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Nel, Carryn-Ann; Rabe, Lizette; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: The New York Times het in 2011 die eerste digitale publikasie geword wat lesers gevra het om vir inhoud te betaal. Dit was in die jare ná die wêreldwye resessie tussen 2007 en 2008 waartydens die joernalistiek swaar getref is . Benewens die feit dat koerante se sirkulasiesyfers begin daal het en publikasies gedwing is om hul nuus aanlyn te skuif, is geen inkomste daaruit genereer nie. Lesers het nie vir inhoud aanlyn betaal nie en publikasies het ook gesukkel om ’n inkomste uit adverteerders te verhaal aangesien adverteerders nog nie die skuif gemaak het om op digitale webwerwe te adverteer nie . Adverteerders het verkies om na groot name soos Google en Facebook te stroom . Dus is m ediamaatskappye gedwing om nuwe maniere te vind om die joernalistiek volhoubaar te maak en te befonds. Dit is met hierdie agtergrond wat ek hierdie navorsingsprojek aanpak, wat fokus op die impak van nuusmodelle, en spesifiek betaalmure, in Suid Suid-Afrika. Sunday Times was in 2012 die eerste publikasie om sy lesers te vra om vir inhoud te betaal, en vand ag, tien jaar later, vra meer publikasies hul lesers om dieselfde te doen. Die sosiale verantwoordelikheidsteorie het rigting tot dié studie gegee deur vrae te vra oor die impak van verskillende nuusmodelle op ’n Suid-Afrikaanse gehoor. Dié studie kyk na vier publikasies wat elk ’n verskillende nuusmodel bedryf. Die studie neem dit een stap verder en ondersoek ook die aspek van toegang tot inligting. Die navorsingsontwerp is ’n gevallestudie wat kwalitatief van aard is. Semi- gestruktureerde onderhoude is met vier redaksionele leiers van die publikasies gedoen ten einde die navorsingsvrae te beantwoord. Daar is bevind dat die joernalistiek slegs volhoubaar kan wees as lesers daarvoor betaal.Trouens, om ’n betaalmuurmodel te hê en om lesers te vra om vir die inhoud te betaal, dra by tot die bevordering en kwaliteit van joernalistiek. Daar moet wel daarna gekyk word om alternatiewe nuusmodelle te vestig om nie lesers uit te sluit wat dit nie kan bekostig nie.
Mapping news about the mind: Analysing the framing of mental illness by News24 (July 2021 - June 2022)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Van Eeden, Margaretha Louisa; Jordaan, Marenet; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mental health is an important part of a person’s general health and wellbeing and a basic human right. Good mental health is linked to an improved ability to function, cope and thrive in society. The number of people suffering from some kind of mental illness is increasing rapidly worldwide. Events like the Covid-19 pandemic contribute to widespread psychological distress that pushes this number even higher (WHO, 2022b:xiv). In South Africa it is no different, with statistics on mental illness foreshadowing a dire future. According to the World Health Organisation, South Africa experienced a more than 36.4% increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and a more than 38.7% increase in the prevalence of depression in the same period. The impact and severity of mental health is widely recognised. However, stigma, discrimination and human rights violations against people suffering from mental illness are still widespread across the world (WHO, 2022b:xiv). The way in which the media report on mental illness and frames it contributes to how it is viewed by society. Questions are often raised about how mental illness is portrayed in the mass media and whether the framing of mental illness in the media is fair and accurate. The Covid-19 pandemic impacted how journalists report on topics such as mental illness and Covid-19’s effects on mental health. This study analysed the framing of mental illness in stories published by South African online news platform News24 during the Covid-19 pandemic over a one-year period between July 2021 and June 2022, in order to explore whether the coverage adheres to the normative expectations of an ethics of care. According to the ethics of care theory, journalists should take care when reporting on vulnerable groups, such as those suffering from mental illness. A literature review brought to light frames generally used by the media when reporting on mental illness. These frames were used as a guide for the qualitative content analysis performed on the sampled stories. During the analysis stories were identified that perpetuate stigmas and stereotypes about mental illness and that draw a link between violence and mental illness. However, the number of stories of a positive nature, with frames of advocacy and awareness, education and destigmatisation, far outweigh the more negative stories. Overall, the framing of mental illness in stories by News24 over the one-year period is mostly constructive and well intentioned, indicating that journalists took care when reporting on this vulnerable group. Nevertheless, there remains room for improvement. Special attention should be given to word choice and sensationalist “clickbait” headlines. The study recommended specific steps the media industry can take to report more carefully about mental illness, and suggested future avenues for research.
In focus: A historical narrative of the life and work of pioneer news photographer Yunus Mohamed
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03 ) Smit, Paula-Ann; Rabe, Lizette; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The significance of this historical narrative study lies in its examination of the life and work of Yunus Mohamed, a South African news photographer whose photographic contributions were integral to the documentation of the anti-apartheid struggle and the portrayal of the everyday lives of marginalised communities. This study highlights Mohamed’s role as a pioneering figure in the South African news photography landscape and emphasises his substantial contributions to the field of South African news photography. Born of Cape Malay heritage in 1955 and, under apartheid regulations, classified as “Coloured”, Mohamed persisted in completing high school – despite having to drop out for a period to support his family financially – and training as a photographer. Realising photography’s impact in raising awareness against apartheid, Mohamed joined the Struggle as a photographer of political events and protests for the South African Islamic anti-apartheid organisation Call of Islam. As of 1987, he continued this work as a news photographer at the anti-apartheid newspaper South. Here, he played an essential role in capturing events opposing apartheid and the everyday stories of marginalised communities. Mohamed worked at South until the end of apartheid and the newspaper’s subsequent closure in 1995. Thereafter, he continued to contribute to the South African news photography landscape at the Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger. In a career at the publication that spanned 21 years, Mohamed climbed the ranks to become chief photographer of both Die Burger and the Western Cape office of Rapport. From capturing impactful images of unrest during the height of apartheid to photographing Nelson Mandela’s first speech after his release on 11 February 1990, Mohamed has provided South Africa with a powerful visual record that encapsulates a country’s past. In using historical narrative as theoretical foundation and a case study as method of investigation, this study concludes that, due to his dedication and contribution to the South African news photography landscape, Mohamed can be considered a pioneer news photographer.

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