Masters Degrees (Journalism)
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- ItemMapping 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.
- ItemIn 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.
- ItemThe Star newspaper and the “state capture” debate: A critical discourse analysis on editorial positioning 2015-2018(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Beard, Layton G.; Botma, Gabriël J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study uses Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to analyse specific texts, in this case editorials published by The Star newspaper, over a specific period of time, in order to determine the role of this newspaper in relation to its positioning of then President Jacob Zuma in the state capture debate. While it is accepted that no single method exists for conducting CDA, the research is mainly guided by the CDA model of Van Dijk (1992:245) that recommends examining the data collected for argumentative structures, tacit assumptions, norms, and values, and by analysing the style and rhetoric used in discourse, in this case newspaper editorials. The review of the data is done to answer the specific research question: How did The Star newspaper position itself through its editorials in relation to the state capture debate from 2015 to February 2018? The CDA is conducted within three theoretical frameworks namely, public sphere theory, normative journalistic theory, and critical theory. Through these theories, the influence of the newspaper’s owner, Dr Iqbal Survé is gauged to determine if he exercised any control of the editorials. This CDA is conducted specifically on the newspaper’s editorials as it is through these opinions that newspapers position themselves in relation to specific issues. It was found that limited, if any, academic research has been done in South Africa on the role of editorials in the South African political context. The research concludes that while the newspaper initially did not take a strong stance against Jacob Zuma and his involvement in state capture, this position developed over time to the extent that it was highly critical of his leadership and presidency, and that it eventually called for his resignation. The research recommends future studies, specifically research related to news reporting at The Star, and not a focus on the positioning of the newspaper through its editorials only as this study does.
- ItemManaging a broadcast newsroom during a crisis: the case of three campus radio stations during the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa in 2020(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03 ) Rowland, Viviene Jennifer; Botma, Gabriël J; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study uses Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to analyse specific texts, in this case editorials published by The Star newspaper, over a specific period of time, in order to determine the role of this newspaper in relation to its positioning of then President Jacob Zuma in the state capture debate. While it is accepted that no single method exists for conducting CDA, the research is mainly guided by the CDA model of Van Dijk (1992:245) that recommends examining the data collected for argumentative structures, tacit assumptions, norms, and values, and by analysing the style and rhetoric used in discourse, in this case newspaper editorials. The review of the data is done to answer the specific research question: How did The Star newspaper position itself through its editorials in relation to the state capture debate from 2015 to February 2018? The CDA is conducted within three theoretical frameworks namely, public sphere theory, normative journalistic theory, and critical theory. Through these theories, the influence of the newspaper’s owner, Dr Iqbal Survé is gauged to determine if he exercised any control of the editorials. This CDA is conducted specifically on the newspaper’s editorials as it is through these opinions that newspapers position themselves in relation to specific issues. It was found that limited, if any, academic research has been done in South Africa on the role of editorials in the South African political context. The research concludes that while the newspaper initially did not take a strong stance against Jacob Zuma and his involvement in state capture, this position developed over time to the extent that it was highly critical of his leadership and presidency, and that it eventually called for his resignation. The research recommends future studies, specifically research related to news reporting at The Star, and not a focus on the positioning of the newspaper through its editorials only as this study does.
- ItemLocal but global? An exploration of the representation of English football clubs in English sports journalism(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-12) Mokonyana, Teboho Phillip; Botma, Gawie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increase in popularity and foreign influence of English football clubs has made them global brands. Improvements in media technology and coverage, means that fans around the world can now follow news about their preferred clubs with the same immediacy as those in England. This study’s aim is to explore the identity formation of English football clubs as global brands in English sports journalism. To observe this pattern, coverage on the European Super League from Sky Sports and Talk Sport was analysed. The researcher opted to use othering theory and stereotype theory to interpret the data collected. The former describes why groups and individuals are differentiated from the dominant group, while the former discusses repeated attributes and themes throughout the process of othering. Using qualitative research methods, in vivo and values coding, the researcher found that English sports journalists had a negative identity of the said clubs as global brands. These approaches are beneficial because they explain the attitudes, beliefs, and language used in the identity formation of English football clubs as global brands. The said clubs were stereotyped as greedy and othered for attacking perceived English ideals such as competitive integrity and meritocracy. English sports journalists also rejected increasing global exposure out of concerns of a higher risk of the exploitation of local English football fans. This study concurs with previous literature that found a distrust from English sports journalists towards foreign actors in English football.