For the first time since its founding 39 years ago, Stellenbosch University’s Journalism Department has published the annual LIP newspaper with the theme of Press Freedom.
On 3 May, the department also hosted a panel discussion and presentation to celebrate World Press Freedom Day. It was chaired by SU lecturer Marenet Jordaan. The panel consisted of Professor Tanja Bosch, an associate Professor at the Centre of Film and Media Studies from the University of Cape Town, Ms Chantel Erfort, the editor of Cape Community Newspapers and Ms Alide Dasnois, the associate editor of GroundUp.
The theme and discussion centred around Empowering the public: The role of journalism in creating inclusive societies.
LIP 2017 is now being distributed. PHOTO FRANCO HAVENGA
The chair of the journalism department Professor Lizette Rabe kicked off the discussion by highlighting the importance of World Press Freedom Day.
Addressing increasing issues in the field of journalism she said: “We cannot sell our integrity and credibility for the sake of cheap click bait, sensation and controversy.” She also stated that for the media, “freedom simply is not the right to publish anything”.
Bosch spoke about the importance of community radio stations in South Africa and how it plays a big role in providing a voice for the marginalised communities. She said that although listener numbers appear to be increasing, funding is slowly diminishing. This poses a real threat to the industry.
Despite this, Bosch said she still believes in the value of community radio to serve as a news medium for communities that do not receive print media or are illiterate.
Erfort discussed the role of community newspapers and the developmental role it takes on. She also mentioned how community news quite often acts as the “proverbial voice of the voiceless”.
Erfort also stated that community newspapers often pick up on stories that start off small but which eventually become national stories of interest to the entire country. She referred to the example of Tim Noakes who first approached his community newspaper before his banting diet became a national story.
Chantel Erfort (left) and Alide Dasnois (right) delivered insightful speeches at the World Press Freedom Day discussion. PHOTO: ANDREA KOHRS
Dasnois elaborated on the duty of GroundUp, a donor funded agency, which provides free photos and copy to large media houses about local human rights issues with a focus on poverty. “We go where the mainstream media doesn’t go” and “we offer them what they haven’t got”.
She also explained how their work is different to that of other media houses in that they focus on facts. According to Dasnois there is already too much opinion. “South Africa is a noisy country,” she said. Dasnois also offered advice on how to avoid writing two-dimensional stories: “Poor people aren’t just poor, they’re also soccer players, mothers, doctors and more.”
Rabe finished off noting that journalists should be willing to work for the greater cause but that their labour to produce accurate news should not go unrewarded. “Please support mainstream media by subscribing to their services. We do not get our groceries and medication and services for free – how can we expect to get quality information for free?” she concluded.
Some of the valued contributors to the discussion held at SU Journalism Department. From left to right Alide Dasnois, Chantel Erfort, Ton Vosloo, Marenet Jordaan and Tanja Bosch. PHOTO: ANDREA KOHRS
In previous years LIP covered the US Woordfees, but due to the festival being predominantly Afrikaans and hosted quite early in the year, the decision was made to instead select a later date for publication with bilingual articles. This was done in order to be more language inclusive for both journalists and readers alike.
LIP is produced by the honours students at the journalism department as part of their course. Copies are free and are available at the department at 26 Crozier Street. – Andrea Kohrs & Andeline Wieland