STELLENBOSCH MEDIA FORUM 2008
Departement Joernalistiek Universiteit Stellenbosch
change in the media Are you the sharpest pencil inth irthe box? The best job in the world?
, of course
he best journalism programme?
, of course
Die Departement Joernalistiek aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch is die enigste gespesialiseerde nagraadse opleidingsinstelling vir hierdie beroep in Suid-Afrika. Dit stel die standaard vir professionele joernalistiek-opleiding vir die nuwe eeu, en skep 'n balans tussen praktiese joernalistieke vaardighede en die blootstelling van studente aan etiese, tegnologiese, bestuurs- en kulturele aspekte van die media. Aansoeke vir die nagraadse, honneursvlak BPhil in Joernalistiek sluit elke jaar op 31 Augustus. Vir meer inligting, gaan na www.sun.ac.za/journ alism.
Stellenbosch University's Department of Journalism is the only specialised postgrad uate training institution for the profession in South Africa. It sets the standard for professional journ alism ed ucation and trai ning into the new century, creating a balance between pra ctical journalism skills and exposing students to the ethical, technological, ma nagerial and cultural aspects of the media. Applications for the postgraduate, honours level BPhii in Journ alism close on August 31 every year. For more information, go to www.sun.ac.za/ journalism. Technology
Reinventing the tube - Stephan Matthee
Keeping up with the Times - Susan Smit
J-blogging: The best of both worlds? - Carolyn Meads
'n Kykie na die veranderende eenoog-koning - Crystal Robertson
Mxit worth its moola - Delia de Villiers
Techno impaired - Stepha n Matthee
Mobile media: a threat? - Peni Dodo
People
Solo journalism - Jason Boswell 24
What the eyes do not see, does grieve the heart - Chris Boonzaier 26
Beautiful journalism - Nozuko Basson 30
Vrouetydskrifte + die intern et = 'n blink toekoms? - Amelia-May Woudstra 34
Can u SMS it 2 me? - Delia de Villiers 38
Do you get your news? - Tarryn Kay Trussell 40
Die Burger vir die burgers - Vania van der Heever 42
The artist formerly known as the audience -Jason Boswell 44
The changing role of the media
Rebuilding the Chinese wall - Thania Gopal 48
Politici en hul waghonde - J6hann Thormahlen 54
Environment
Burning issue: a changing climate, a changing media - Lezette Engelbrecht 56
Van toeka tot nou: die 50/50 su ksesverh aal - Marlene Neethling 60
Art
Kort aan kortverhale? - Inge Lamprecht 64
''Tea :er van die gedagte" se swanesang? - Sven Hugo 66
Gevra: 'n Drukmedia Harry Potter - Janice Keogh 70
Fluit-fluit. .. is die storie uit vir boeke en boekresensies? - Carolyn Meads 72
Sport Wat sport van vol is, loop die pen va n oor - Marco Botha 74 Keeping the game alive ... with "sportainment" - Philippa Francis 76
SMF 3 Redakteursbrief Die Span/ The team Editorial EDITOR Carolyn Meads arlier this year Koos Bekker, owner of Media24, said he would not buy ADJUNK-REDAKTEUR Ethe New York Times even though his Susan Smit company could afford it. According to Moneyweb.co.za Bekker said the days of MANAGER print media are numbered and the New Stephan Matthee York Times is old news. Die afgelope klompie jare het die media SUBREDAKTEURS 'n transformasie ondergaan. In Suid-Afrika Lezette Engelbrecht (Hoof Eng) spesifiek is talle beperkinge op die media Inge Lamprecht (Hoof Afr) in die post-94-era opgehef. Die media Philippa Francis funksioneer in 'n vryemark-stelsel en die Thania Gopal algemene persepsie is dat dit meer fokus Chris Boonzaier op die kommersiele as tevore. Met die Marco Botha ekonomiese afplatting is daar boonop Delia de Villiers gerugte van personeelvermin Peni Dodo derings - en word selfs meer verwag van die Gideonsbende wat in die nuuskantore UITLEG oorbly. Janice Keogh Carolyn Meads Folo: Marlene Neethling Exposure to a variety of TV channels Amelia-May Woudstra and internet websites is increasing the visual stimulation of media audiences. Media joernaliste was verantwoordelik vir products are being redesigned to satisfy specific needs, in specific niches. One big hul eie uitleg change in terms of design is that more - and bigger - visuals and less text are being used. VanJaar het e.tv die eerste 24-uur-nuuskanaal in Suid-Afrika geloods en al hoe meer GRAFIKA drukmediaprodukte fokus op hul aanlyn-teenwoordigheid. Die Mai/&Guardian het in Sven Hugo Junie sy webtuiste herontwerp en sy groepblog, Thought/eader, het die prys vir die Beste Suid-Afrikaanse Blog in die 2008 Suid-Afrikaanse Blogtoekennnings gekry. The Times, PHOTO EDITOR die Sunday Times se interaktiewe dagblad, het vanjaar sy eerste verjaarsdag gevier en Marlene Neethling bewys (sover) dat die konsep van 'n koerant wat met 'n webblad ge·l·ntegreer is, wei werk. We are living in exciting times as far as development in the media is concerned. And VERSPREIDING that is why this year's edition of SMF has as its theme "Change in the media". Johann Thormahlen Die veranderende media is hoofsaaklik te danke aan die ontwikkeling van tegnologie, Nozuko Basson soos dat jy jou nuus op jou selfoon kan kry. I\luttig, veral in Suid-Afrika waar die toegang Tarryn Trussell tot breebandinternet gebrekkig is. Die koms van blogs noop koerante nou om onmiddel likheid en interaksie na te volg. FACT CHECKERS These developments also influence journalists, sources and their audiences. With the Crystal Robertson advent of democracy in South Africa, changes in the consumer demographics of certain Vania van der Heever media products have occurred. And, oh yes, women have also advanced in the media since 1994, both as producers of media, and how they are represented. And then there is AANLYN-BESTUURDER the youth, who "owns" new media technologies. And the disabled, who can get access to Jason Boswell a new world through media technology. PUBLISHED BY But, there are still many people in South Africa who do not have access to media, be Department of Journalism cause of socio-economic circumstances: too poor to own the latest technology; illiterate Stellenbosch University and forgotten by the media elites. 26 Crozier Street Die rol van die media, om debat te stimuleer, as waghond op te tree en die stem van Stellenbosch die stem loses te wees, word deur al hierdie veranderings uitgedaag. Toenemende kom mersialisering kan mediavryheid van binne erodeer. En dan is daar steeds die moont KONTAK likheid van politieke inmenging, al is mediavryheid grondwetlik verskans. Tradisionele Tel/Faks: 021 808 3488 kunsvorme in die media, soos kortverhale, radiodramas en boekresensies word gemar E-pos: [email protected] ginaliseer, maar tog is daar die moontlikheid dat hulle kan aanpas en bly voortbestaan. Webwerf: www.sun.ac.za/ Another challenge is the media's coverage of environmental issues, which has to be journalism in sync with the phenomenon of global warming. Sport reporting also has to adapt to new developments, with sport writers now needing to have a knowledge of economics and Voorblad: Daneel Malgas politics as well. Een ding is seker: maatskappye, mense, produkte en onderwerpe wat by die media betrokke is, sal soos 'n verkleurmannetjie moet aanpas om te kan oorleef. All possible avenues were pursued to credit photos. If a photo was not credited and we are informed after publication who the photographer is, we will credit him/her Besoek ons blog by: in the next edition of SMF. http://smf2008.wordpress.com/ © 2008 All rights reserved The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team, Department of Journalism or the University of Stellenbosch.
4 SMF What on earth ... ? 1~C~[i~~~illM C~ffi[iill~~ ~~ [ffi~t t~~~~ ~ffi~~ thffit ~~li mffi~ [~~~ l~k~ ffi [~r~~ill[i~r ,Uh ffi~~ t~~ [i~' [i1e~~ffi-l~[iillO fi~~nill ffib~lillt 1~~~ m~ill~t ~e~~ ~~lill Ollt ffi ~UU~D
Backpack journalists, Twitter is a microblogging service where you write frequent short updates on also called solo journalists, or "sojos," what you are doing. Twitter uses either a web interface or SMSes or instant messaging are journalists who make use of inex to communicate. The website explains the reasons for twittering: "Eating soup? Re pensive, lightweight technology to act search shows that moms want to know. Running late to a meeting? Your co-workers as a self-contained media production might find that useful. Partying? Your friends may want to join you." machine. Lightweight laptops, satellite phones, inexpensive editing software is an and digital cameras mean that one The Amazon kindle The iPhone is a multimedia smart electronic e-book device that allows you journalist can produce everything from phone, made by Apple. Combining a to download best-selling books, maga their own backpack. phone, music player, camera and web zines, newspapers and blogs from the browser, the iPhone is a revolutionary de Amazon whispernet. In November 2007 vice, utilising a touch screen instead of a iReport is a form of citizen journa the kindle was launched in the United keypad or joystick. However, its high cost lism initiated by CNN where people send States. This paperback sized device and strictly regulated applications mean in footage or photos of news events that works with wireless technology like cell that it is a flawed beauty. The iPhone wa s happened while they were on the scene. phones and you don't need a computer launched in SA in September. to use it. Unfortunately the kindle is not available in countries outside the US . Fark is a news aggregator and an edited social networking news site, which receives about 2000 news submissions per day from its Digg is a social bookmarking site where you can submit the online articles, videos readership. and podcasts that appeal to you. Other visitors to the site can indicate whether they like it as well. If enough people "Oigg It" it moves to the homepage in its category. In other words, the readers determine what is interesting and important on the web and share it with others. They determine the content of the Oigg It website. You will often see a Oigg It icon at the end of an article, video or podcast found on the web, allowing '.1 to immediately bookmark it.
Amatomu StumhJeUpon is a browser is a South African plug-in that allows users to discover blog search en and rate web pages, photos, videos gine and article ag and news articles. It basically works gregator founded as a recommendation system which in March 2007. It uses peer and social networking prin organises bloggers ciples. StumbleUpon was aquired by by topic and lists e8ay on May 2007 for U$75 000 000. blog keywords.
Mohizine is the electronic Mash-up is a web application version of a newspaper or maga where data from one source is integrated zine which can be downloaded onto into another to create new content or sys one's cellular phone. tems e.g . using Google maps or photos from sites like Flickr in online articles.
Google Phone, officially called the G1, is the internet giant Google's Newsvine is an "instant reflection first phone and a rival to the iPhone. of what the world is talking about at any Equipped with both a touch screen and given moment" - A community-driven a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the G1 news website that features articles from has all the features of the iPhone and a users, as well as news agencies such as slick new operating system, Android. AP.
Photo : Marlene Neethling SMF 5 v is set for radical changes. As new technology demands revolutionise Thi nl I ~ http://www.thetimes.co.za! File Edit View Favorites Tools Help Keeping up with The fast growth of the internet has meant stiff competition for one of his tory's most tru sted sources of information, the newspaper. Despite th is, a new South African daily, The Times, has been described by its editor-in chief, Mondli Makhanya, as a "mega success". Susan Smit tries to estab lish if The Times has a formula that might be print's saving grace. n mid-2007 the 102 year-old South market in Johannesburg with Nova, a daily the Sunday Tim es offices, editor Mondli African newspaper the Sunday Times aimed at "professionals on the move". Makhanya said the biggest challenge Ipublished the first edition of its new After four and a half months the daily for the newspaper has not been racial daily, The Times. The tabloid-size news closed, Citing "unsatisfactory sales". The demographics (a consideration for any paper is aimed at a younger, faster paced CEO of Naspers, Koos Bekker, in an inter mainstream newspaper in South Africa), generation and is a welcome addition to view with SMF described Nova as a "total but catering for younger readers. "A news a print market that many have already flop". He said it was due to poor journa paper cannot be left behind when SOCiety declared dead. lism, delivery problems and Gauteng's is changing," Makhanya said. The Times has embraced the internet by over-saturated newspaper market that Although Makhanya is still the editor completely integrating its print and online caused the paper to fail. in-chief of both the Sunday Times and operations, trying to give readers the best Hartley feels that Nova was "just an The Time s, he insists that the new daily is of both. other old-school newspaper launched in an autonomous. "The Tim es runs The Tim es," This approach is not surprising The era when people demand so much more he says. 2007 edition of Trends in Newsrooms, a re from print". According to Hartley Nova was In 2006 the World Editors Forum and port published by the World Editors Forum, not effectively integrated with the web and Reuters commissioned a Newsroom discusses the integration of the newsroom did not meet the demand for interactivity. Barometer. The Barometer is intended to as one of the most important trends in the Hartley adds that Nova also did not have "promote better knowledge of the evolu media today. the readership base that The Times had by tion of the newspaper through the eyes In an email interview with SMF, the going direct to the Sunday Times subscri of senior news executives". The survey editor of The Tim es, Ray Hartley, said the bers. Initially The Times was only delivered posed media related questions to 435 idea for The Times began in 2006 when the senior executives from newsrooms all over Sunday Times started looking at ways to A newspaper the world. "power up" their web presence. A total of 53 % of the respondents Publishing daily would mean turning cannot be left claimed to already have an integrated their site, wwwthetimes. co.za , into a 2417 newsroom. Of those respondents that operation. While stories are published behind when indicated that they did not have one, 69 % in the newspaper, readers are given the said they expect to have one within the opportunity to "comment and engage with society is next five years. stories online". George Brock, president of the World Hartley says the stories are also en changing. Editors Forum, said in his analysiS of the hanced with online videos, slideshows and results published in Trends in Newsrooms audio. Consequently Hartley prefers the to subscribers of the Sunday Times , but is 2007, that newspapers which innovate and term "audience" to "readers". now also sold at selected outlets and street adapt will survive because "their qualities Hartley describes the average reader corners. are more important than the medium" (or audience member) of The Times as According to Hartley another reason At The Tim es, managers, including someone probably "employed in a high The Times was launched was to grow the the editor, don't have offices. According pressure Job or looking after kids". subscriber base of the Sunday Times. It to Hartley the strategy was to create an He says while the Sunday Times offers currently has a ci rculation of 504 400 of open environment with "free communica them their weekly dose of opinion, analysis which 136 000 are subscribers. Taking tion where digital and print operations are and large features, The Times is aimed at The Times directly to subscribers, at no totally integrated". giving the reader a quick morning news fix. additional cost, also removed the biggest The writers, videographers and photog The paper is then left for the parent and/or obstacle faced by start-up dailies, namely raphers also sit together in "pods", each child that stay at home to read at a slower building a readership from scratch. one assigned to a different beat. pace. While addressing a group of journalism Hartley says that journalists are excited In 2005 Media24 tested the same target students from Stellenbosch University at about working at The Time s, because it is a startl u-' fvlicrosoft Excel - account,. ·1r The Times - Interact ... 8SMF bJ)> o -o ..= u= the ~imeg ClJ f-o paper "for the times". "Journalists will acquire vital skills that will position them for a future in which pure print skills will not be enough," he says. In the Newsroom Barometer, 83% of the respondents agreed that within five years journalists will be expected to know how to produce content for all platforms: print, video, audio and web. Furthermore, 36% of the respondents indicated that their number one newsroom investment would be to train Journalists in new media. According to Makhanya the Sunday Time s' website traffic has grown by 75% since The Times was launched. This seems to indicate that the "audience" is embrac ing the concept of the integrated newspa per and sees the website as a legitimate source of information in an ever competi tive online market. In his analysis of the Newsroom Ba rometer published in Trends in Newsrooms 2007. Jeff Jarvis, head of the interactive journalism programme at City University New York , says that the biggest threat to newspapers is not the internet or free sheets, but editors who have "resisted change and missed so many of the op portunities technology provides to expand journalism". The Tim es is only a little more than a year old and only time will tell if it will sur vive. However The Times has proven not to be your average print newspaper, choos ing instead to reach a new generation of • media consumers through the platforms that they prefer. Jarvis describes the move best when he says, "print will not die, but print is not our future". Sources Ray Hartley, The Times . Mondli Makhanya, Sunday Times . Willem Jordaan, Die Burger Bruce Fraser, Sowetan Matthew Buckland, Mail&Guardian Koos Bekker, CEO of Naspers "End of the road for new daily newspaper Nova." on Mail&Guardian online. 8 February 2006. "New Jhb daily for professionals" on fin 24. com. 19 September 2005. Graphics: Th e Times -,.-----~..... -'1[ - r r Internet + 100% 06:00 PM SMF 9 Off My for the than adequate gives more 11 eople. Whee 5 legroom - for ta ~ty with the L-.... --= L ggage capac1 new generation ;.::--' . Ulitres and with the rear a big improve- ",""over place 1S 220 d to as much as 1 e only cal' J be increase ide ' or and th f dome can t ured seats prov .~ windscreen, ro\ tinnY. The con_~ table. Even the entrY " 1 found a b1 sonably COll llor t ering 'ie which marks dard s release for tilt-adiu~table o~ ,-,pw gene:: cloth seat fabn~; rerr: dual front cup 'a ' ':~g_h driver's side alfba~, d bumpers, and hOlder; colour co ~ it is similar to immobiliser. In des1fence of that is Februa:y 6) ~tb;v~ body coloured split grille sp wtie emblem. carries the bOo dominated by The rear 1S ck features a \ ' unper at the ba unted spoiler, the roo f·mo 't h 1said it won . 3.1.. But a~ easonable ~~"l..."'--;-. 'I, J e Aveo 1S a r d on the open 'eak hour an , ' t the speed l1m1t. a h power to alsO has enoug h of a d 't pose too muc hills, on ble' the ratiOS on the 1S,sta , lot of hunting 1snota , b't noisy the engme a 1 , times, It doesn t SV100km ShOuld take , the ~ :3, Johan Swarts, considered one of the best Afrikaans bloggers, blogs from his dorm room at Stellenbosch University Photo: Carolyn Meads In the past few years the amount of blogs on the internet have increased tremendously. Some of these bloggers see themselves as journalists. N ewspapers are also appointing their own journalists as bloggers. CarolYn Meads investigates the influence of blogs on newspapers and finds out exactly what a "j-blogger" is. here are about 200 000 000 blogs line journal in which the entries appear in easy steps. on the intern eLand the number is reverse chronological order. This website Any blogger can also try to report on Tgrowing. says the word "blog" is short for "weblog" events like a journalist. The Addict, a Technorati, an internet search company (webjournal). Blogs can be written about blogger who's blog, Toomuchcoffee, was counted 185620 000 blogs on the internet any subject. It can be a newsletter, a per nominated for the award of Best South in February this year. This company esti sonal Journal or just "ranting and raving". African and Best Political Blog at the 2008 mates that 175 000 new blogs are created Readers can comment on the entries and South African Blog Awards, said in an every day. the blogger or other readers can reply. email interview with SMF there are web Anyone can start a blog - an elderly The Techencyclopedia says, previously, sites such as The Observers and Paja fannie , a cheeky teenager or a frustrated bloggers were programmers that could masmedia that collect and present the best director of a company. design their own webpages, Today, with news and commentary from blogs from all According to the Techencyclopedia of templates such as Blogger.com , it is over the world. According to him, these the website fechweb .com, a blog is an on- possible for anyone to start a blog in a few websites act as alternative news agencies. 10 SMF The Addict says traditional media such ethical codes restrict traditional journalists. Johan Swarts se blOg is seen as one as newspapers realise the potential of this Renee Moodie, interactive head of of the best Afrikaans blogs according to new media. "Newspapers will be spurred to Independent Online (IOL) also said in an blogtopsites.co.za. He is a post graduate move more content online to compete with email to SMF that blogs are different from student in Afrikaans and Dutch at Stellen bloggers," he says. newspapers because they are not checked bosch University and is writing his thesis by subeditors. IOL is the website of all the about blogs. Johan said in an interview Slogs vs newspapers I ndependent Newspapers publications. with SMF that blogs differ from traditional They have recently added a blog to their media because of the personal manner According to The Addict there are website. in which bloggers report. Blogs of people certain similarities between blogs and Oakes claims his girlfriend is his editor. involved in the tsunami in Indonesia, the newspapers. Like newspapers, blog "She proof reads everything I write. If the American election and the war in Iraq, are entries appear regularly. "I try to write quality is not up to scratch, she beats the examples of personal reporting. daily," he says. "If I miss a day or two I get soles of my feet with strips of droewors," Bloggers also have a more intimate re emails and SMS messages that say things he says. Usually blogs are run by only one lationship with their readers because they like Where is my daily fix?' or 'BLOG!'" person and there is no one to question communicate with them directly. "It is like As with most blogs, you can subscribe to accuracy or improve quality and style. a microcosm of people that I've never met, Toomuchcoffee and receive The Addict's According to Ray Hartley, editor of the but still I know them very well," he says. newest entry in an email as soon as he printed and online version of The Times, Florence de Vries, a journalist for writes it. He also has an ethical code, South African blogs as yet do not break Sake24, said in an email interview that although it is not a written one like news news like traditional media. He said via interaction is one of the advantages of papers have. It is: "Do no harm". The email that bloggers rather report on news blogs that newspapers do not have. She Addict also recognises differences be that they find in the traditional media. They says bloggers can get ideas for future tween newspapers and blogs. do not just repeat the news, but comment, entries from the comments of their readers. Not all bloggers have an ethical code. analyse and give their opinions. According Interactivity is also important according Shaun Oakes, whose blog was also to Hartley this is "something special". He to her. If newspapers do not encourage nominated in the 2008 South African Blog also says, "Some blogs are better than interaction, they will be out of touch with Awards for the award of Best South African others at noticing small stories that what their readers want. "In order for them Blog and Best Humoristic Blog, said in an deserve more attention than they have to stay relevant, newspapers will have to email interview with SMF: "With blogs, been given by a traditional news source". improve interaction," she says. ethics and morals can be thrown out the window. If I am going to write something insulting or defamatory about a public PERSONAL - ~ , "'ee ~ ~ . s . ~ e "e figure, I always ensure that it's incredibly REPORTS: "0 han Ise blog] insulting or defamatory, otherwise there is The blogs of Jo J S s....~~'"" no point in doing it". According to him, han Swarts (left), warts Shoun Oakes (bottom left) Broer Bo nd en die psiCe in di e agtercrond (PG 16) and The Addict "In order eo Met apotog.e ;iNl SfDi!r R~~, 5D IITlt.:!rend soo ...... a t hard.?:baard godsdl",nstlg-es (bottom right), all soms kan ;·. ees . so af-gesaag karl hardekr\atel ateI5te ... have new entries sel, releyane, almost on a daily basis, just like , , 3 newspapers newpapers. Hoonderpret By , Will haye eo Photos:http://gor· mend izer.co.za; www. Improye shaunoakes.co m; http: //loomuchcoffee. Ineeracelon" co.za SOllth Africa Has A New PreSldenl And His Name 15 Kgalotma Modantha r. ')tfb...( ..bc r U..,...o,. ...... "..1. I , . ..~, r, , 1 I-\A,rt>olc ...... ' VIIIII : I5~e""~.II) ~ J).. ~. ..: .q:.,: __ "''''_~1''''''''''''' ~ . 1 _ ..... __ ~ __ \ou(~ ....-...... __ prf'..~, ~ ...... t...... 'o!'.-- ~ ..,_,_~" ... ..cto"'--''''''...... o.,O\~ ...... ~ .... f_"'" ToP ...... ;'-f __ ..e ~ ,..., .... f'q SMF 11 Thoughtleader is used in the Mail&Guardian Photo : "/VlV!.lxchu . Mingret newspaper. Buckland would like to see "A biOI belonlinl more print journalists blogging. Every day The Times publishes the work to a newspaper is of bloggers in their blogumist column . The link between their print publication and the obyiously diHerent online version is very strong. Hartley says, "We push interactivity to our Internet site 'rom an ordinary and we take comments from the web and publish them in a paper to complete the weblol belonlinl to interactivity circle". Steyn says that in the future blogs will Sannie or Jannie" be an "essential ingredient in the arsenal of any senior or spec alist reporter". Blogs are a way to tell the "s ory behind the story" also have to be handled differently, ac and to converse \fi lth readers , he says. cording to her, because bloggers usually They hope blogs will soon playa much big give commentary. She believes tradi ger role on Die Burger's website. What ;n the world ;s a i-blogger: tional media will have to adjust their ethical "Newspapers will have to look at codes due to the influence of blogs. making blogs the online version of their De Vries wrote a thesis about whether an She personally thinks that ethical co lumns, not just a cyber copy of it, but an ethical code for j-bloggers would be fitting considerations are necessary where blogs actual extra to what has been published in for Die Burger. "J-bloggers" are belong to a specific publication, but says: "I the newspaper," says Steyn. journalists for traditional media that, due to find blogs that do not belong to a pu bl ica In the time it has taken to read this the popularity of blogs, have been ap tion much more spontaneous". article, a whole lot of blogs have been pointed as bloggers for the online version created . Readers are probably already of the publication . With J-bloggers' tradi InflUencla, Internet clicking on it and writing comments . News tional media attempt to get the best of both papers want the same kind of interaction , worlds . These J-bloggers are Mail&Guardian has also been influenced but also the positive characteristics of journalists, with all the ethical and profes by the prol iferation of blogs. They created traditional media . They believe j-bloggers sional implications of the occupation, but the website Thoughtleader where read can give them both . also bloggers that can communicate to ers can blog. There are about 170 blog readers directly. gers that contribute to the site. Matthew De Waal Steyn, multimedia editor for Buckland , former general manager of Die Burger, says: "A blog belonging to a Mai l&Guardian Onl ine, says on his blog YlIslI~ newspaper is obviously different from an that they tried to create a hybrid between http://toomuchcoffee.co.za ordinary web log belonging to Jannie or the blog and the media model when they Sannie." According to Steyn these blogs created Thoughtleader. He says: "The aim www.shaunoakes.com have to uphold the good name of the was to take the addictive features of blog publication . He says their bloggers have to ging and transmute it into a new platform http://gormendizer.co.za adhere to Die Burger's ethical code . with rankings, stats, trackbacks, comments www.ioLco.za This is the challenge for j-bloggers, and instant feedback." because, like De Vries finds in her thesis , To address the problem of ethics and www.thetimes.co.za certain ethical concepts such as accuracy, quality, they decided all content would go objectivity and anonymity can be inter through their editor before appearing on www.dieburger.com preted differently when it comes to blogs. the group blog. "It is subject to traditional www.thoughtleader.co.za De Vries suggests that contributions by gatekeeping," Buckland says. According readers should be tested for accuracy. She to him, quality content is the key charac www.matthewbuckland.com also says: "Readers' commentary written teristic of the media. He says, "Media are http://pajamasmedia.com/ under a pseudonym should be seen as an control freaks about their content. They anonymous source and should be handled should be proud of this fact." http://observers.france24.com with the necessary care". Objectivity will Some of the content generated on 12 SMF h Kykie na die veranderende Soos ailes, het ook die televisie as nuus medium oor die jare verander. Die snelgroeiende tegnologiese ontwikkelinge van vandag beteken egter rue veranderinge is nog lank rue verby nie. Crystal Robertson het gaan kyk wat rue toekoms vir rue eenoog-koning inhou. 14 SMF an swart-en-wit na volkleur, van www.intomobile.com is Japan en Suid-Ko Joernaliste kan reeds nuusgebeure wat groot en bonkig na ligter en platter. rea die baanbrekers in mobiele televisie. hulle met 'n draagbare toes tel opgeneem V S6 het die gesig van die kassie ver In middel 2007 was daar sowat 38 miljoen het, op die internet pia as. In die toekoms ander. Die swart-en-wit spikkelbeelde met mobiele televisiegebruikers in Japan en sal mense betaling hiervoor kry. Die nuus die soms sigbare, bewegende wit Iyn tjie is Suid-Korea . mark sal oop wees vir enigeen wat inhoud lankal iets van die verlede. Die tegnologie op die internet wil plaas. Sterk kompetisie >bJ) vir beeldsending het verfyn en televisie om die beste nuusstorie en -hoek te kry sal o skerms is deesdae nie net plat nie, daar plaasvind . Mense wat nuus verskaf op hul o is selfs die soort wat opgerol kan word. eie webtuiste se uitdaging sal wees om so - Die verwikkelinge wat die kassie reeds veel as moonl ik kykers te 10k. Die nuus ..= =u ondergaan het, is egter niks in vergelyking verskaffers wat meer kykers het, sal meer Q) met wat wag nie. geld maak en suksesvoller wees. E-t Peet van Staden, uitvoerende regisseur Vol gens Van Staden het die aantal van Afrikaanse televisienuus by die SABC, televisiekykers min of meer dieselfde gebly het in 'n telefoniese gesprek gese: "Die ondanks die groei in die wereldbevolking. kassie sal in die toekoms in twee opsigte Meer organ isasies het die wereldwye verander. Nuusprogramme sal meer aan mark betree om tel evisienuus aan hulle te grypend wees en tegnologie vir beeldsend verskaf, se Van Staden. ing sal verbeter." Die mark vir televisieuitsending op die wereldwye web en draagbare toestelle Drie mediums vir televisie Mense daar kan hul lugtyd gebruik om gaan oor die volgende paar jaar volgens Volgens Van Staden begin die proses van televisieprogramme te kyk. Twee kanale is Van Staden vinnig groei, veral aangesien televisieuitsending by 'n rekenaarbediener. vir die mobiele gebruikers beskikbaar. tyd 'n bepalende faktor in die mens se Die sein kan deur drie verskillende David Terblanche, Wes-Kaapse besige daaglikse roetine word. mediums na die verbruiker gestuur word. streekbestuurder van Air Time TV Outside Die tyd het aangestap, maar die een Die eerste medium behels seinversen Broadcasts, het in 'n telefoongesprek gese oog-koning sal nie verdwyn nie. Dit word ding deur die aardstasies na 'n huishou die koms van video-op-aanvraag sal meer eerder in die broeksak en handsak oral ding. Kykers ken dit as die tradisionele interaksie en betrokkenheid van kykers saamgedra. televisie. verseker. Die diens sal die kyker in staat Va n Staden se die afgelope 20 jaar stel om 'n program van keuse aan te vra het kabeltegnologie vir televisieuitsending en dit te kyk wanneer die kyker wil. Die af Het jy geweet? dieselfde gebly met slegs enkele aanpas gelaaide program word op 'n toestel gekyk sings vir tradisionele televisie. Die uitsen selfs al is daar geen netwerk nie. Die woord televisie word ding is 'n analoogproses aangesien dit van Nog 'n tegnologiese verandering vir afgelei van Latynse en Griekse 'n satelliet per telefoonlyn in een rigting na televisie is die Hoe-definisie Reeks Kop stamwoorde, wat beteken 'ver die kyker gestuur word. pelvlak, se Van Staden . Volgens 'n berig sig'. Die tweede medium is die internet in die wat in Sake24 se inligtings en kommuni vorm van internet protokol televisie. kasietegnologie-afdeling gepubliseer is , Op 25 Maart 1925 het die Die derde medium vir televisieuitsen is Multi-Choice en DStv, as satelliet die Skot, John Logie Baird 'n ding is draagbare toestelle soos selfone en eerste om reeds in Julie vanjaar sy nuwe demonstrasie van bewegende iPods. Die toestelle is maklik om te gebruik generasie hoe-definisietelevisie na Suid televisiebeelde by Selfridge en jy het enige plek en enige tyd toegang Afrika te bring . se Winkel in London gegee. In 1927, het Baird die sein oor tot die mees onlangse nuus. Hoe-definisie lewer 'n televisiebeeld 'n 705km lange telefoonlyn Die meeste mense het selfs twee met 'n hoer resolusie en is helderder. tussen Londen en Glascow tot drie televisies tuis. Ander Suid Die tegnologie maak dit moontlik vir uitgesaai. In 1928 het Baird se Afrikaners,veral in townships en die plat televisie om 'n skerper beeld en duideliker maatskappy die eerste trans teland, moet radio luister. Hulle span hul kleursamestelling te projekteer. Die atlantiese televisiesein tussen verbeelding in om 'n visuele beeld te vorm . verwikkeling is net betyds om die hoogste Londen en New York van die gehalte kykplesier aan entoesiaste van die land na 'n skip uitgesaai. 'n Visie vir televisietegnologie 2010 FIFA Wereldbeker te bied. Selfs die Deesdae word weg beweeg van beste televisieskerm sal 'n nog skerper en In sommige lande, net soos die standaard eenrigting versending. duideliker beeld gee, se Van Staden. in Suid-Afrika, is verbruikers Tweerigting interaksie tussen selfoon en verplig om 'n televisielisensie televisie, wat bekend staan as Standaard 'n Visie vir nuusprogramme te betaaL Die Verenigde State definisie Reeks Koppelvlak is vandag "Nuus se verpakking op die televisie is vir se BBC kry hul volle inkomste moontlik . Kykers kan per selfoon vir hul kykers belangrik en dit sal ook verander," van kykers. Hulle saai geen gunsteling Pop Idol stem of Sondagaand in se Van Staden. Volgens hom ondersteun advertensies uit nie. die gemak van hul sitka mer standpunt oor kykers gewoonlik televisiekanale waarvan 'n Interface-debat inneem. Op satellietka die nuus gesaghebbend, goed geskryf en Bron: Wilt, BA. Television nale is die proses lankal nie meer een aantreklik is. History: The beginning of a rigting nie. Kykers laat reeds hul me-ning Hy se in vroeer jare is die feite new medium. (www.merbers. hoor. akademies verpak. Die taal en styl van tripod.com Van Staden het ook gepraat van die nuus was nie gebruikersvriendelik vir 'n toegang tot televisie op draagbare toe groot groep kykers nie. Diegene wat nie I I I I I I I I I I I I II stelle. Vir die grootskaalse verspreiding 'n hoe geletterdheidsvlak gehad het nie, So betaal jou televisie van nuus per draagbare toestel is lisen het nie belang gestel om die nuus te kyk lisensie, 'dis die regte siering nodig. Om die rede is nuusver nie. Van Staden se kompetisie tussen ding am te doen'. skaffing beperk tot gelisensieerde orga televisiekanale soos e.tv en SABC 'i, 2 nisasies en die mark is nog nie oop vir lede en 3 verseker dat nuusverskaffers nuus van die publiek nie. met goeie perspektief, balans en deeglike I I II II II I I I I II Volgens die webwerf verpakking lewer...... ---Foto: www.sxc.hu . Penny Mathews SMF 1 5 ------MXit worth its moola It's more than just an application on your cellphone. It is more than just something that distracts teens from their hom ewor~. It is a brand experience. It is a lifestyle. Delia cle Vlllle•• t a~es a loo~ at the MXit phenomenon. oola. Tradepost. Joe it creates. Banker. Slut list. MXit is not a new concept. Its success M These are all concepts can be attributed to its cornering of a associated with MXit. And if you certain part of the market. MXit is sim ilar know what they are you are to any other form of instant messaging. probably young and innovative The difference is that it uses a cell phone and exactly the individual that as its vehicle. Cell phone access and use MXit wants to target to share in in South Africa is much more prevalent this new brand experience. than internet access and usage, MXit says they have according to Frieda Ie Roux, editor of achieved "cult status in the research and product development youth market". at Die Burger. MXit is cheap and fast, In its simplest form MXit unlike SMSes that take longer and are is an instant messaging comparatively more expensive. service. It runs on Uno de Waal, an independent social GPRS/3G- enabled media and applications consultant, said cell phones with java in an email interview with SMF: "The support. It can also be community is what matters most. If you used on computers with rally enough people around a niche then Adobe Flash Player. It you'll have a sustainable model that will is a service that allows keep itself running, policing itself and its users to send and going forward" receive multimedia MXit is aimed at 12 to 15-year-olds, messages to and from according to their website, www.mxil. other MXit-enabled co.za. De Waal says that this does not cellphones and mean it excludes older people. "If a computers. 50-year-old and his or her peer group MXit is known are on MXit, they would have the same as a form of experience as someone who is 16, that "community is, they'd be able to chat to their friends." software". This is MXit believes, as stated on their website, simply software that its growth and development has not that only has a been restrained by demographics. function when MXi t is built around the brand , the there is more website states. than one person Described by its creators as "simple, using it. One of energetic, iconic and a little rebellious" , the outstanding they believe the brand is something that features of MXit anybody can identify with and aspire to. is that while it MXit prides itself on being in touch with its is about the users with a special focus on "community technology creation", according to the website. it is also The brand facilitates the building of about the the community. De Waal says media community products are increasingly presented as 16 SMF a brand experience. MXit states on their MXit which allows them the ability to In the same statement Heunis said: website that they want to create a brand expand. Goldstuck points out that MXit "We are very excited about teaming experience that everyone can identify can also help Naspers grow future up with a South African company that with ". markets because MXit's userbase are has such an extensive global footprint, The MXit creators believe the MXit efficient internet users, accessing it not only in media but other technology > brand demonstrates its connectedness through computers and cellphones. sectors." beo to its users with a strong emphasis on CEO of Naspers global internet, Antonie Naspers also has stakes in Blueworld, o community creation, according to their Roux, said in a statement issued by Gadu, Tencent and Nimbuzz. - website. "It eliminates barriers enabling and accessed through the website MXit's vision is to be a global lifestyles ..= communities to develop, grow and wwwbizcommunitycom: "MXit has a communication company and they know =u interact unhindered by demographics." wonderful product and an impressive the journey has just begun. CIJ ~ De Waal believes that IVlXit has entrepreneurial management team. We De Waal says MXit is still a largely been successful because it facilitates are delighted at the prospect of working under-developed application. "I'd like communication between people in a with them." to see MXit be more open and allow cheap, interesting and novel way . The developer applications. At the moment MXit website states: "M Xit crossed the the experience is still very limited." boundaries of affordable communication But fear not, because MXit does not and connected people across the globe." "MXit says they compete, it creates. MXit has a registered userbase of 9 million in South Africa, according to the have achieved website wwwwebaddict.co.za . It transmits 230 million messages "cult status every day. The service is distributed internationally to more than 120 countries in the youth with the largest portion of users in South Africa and Indonesia. Herman Heunis, the founder and CEO of MXit, says they hope mart?et" to have 50 million international customers by the end of the year. Arthur Goldstuck, managing director of the telecommunications research company World Wide Worx, says in an article on the website wwwbusrep. cO. za , that the number of users does MXit Tim eline not necessarily equal revenue. He was 2001: speaking on Naspers's 30% acqusition of Clockspeed Mobile develops MXit in January 2007. a Massive Multiplayer Mobile Having Naspers as an investor Game . It is unsuccessful due to has meant a great cash injection for high SMS costs and GPRS not be ing implemented widely enough. Late 2003: First version of MXit released. Slut list April 2004: \ 1\ I! h ,I ~ I-I (J i be 1 \ i-I \\ i III (, Clockspeed Mobile becomes inde (I'll i(iSlll Ill\' 111()"] (IJIII I'.!\ "I pendent. si,11 , rill' 1',111 i 1111<'; i ,II is "iwllI III<' ,,11 (111I"(i ",1111 li',1e, \\ l!uI' 1 July 2006: 11"'ll s j 1.11-11('(1. iii ( ',:)() il ('I \1 I )"" IIHI\ 11'1'_'. 1111' I lil"I, .,j\ ,. January 2007: !llih II s I! i II :.', Ii Ii" I (II ,I( i '" I i I Naspers acquires a 30% stake in MXit for an undisclosed amount. Ill!' \ ,! I (' I d" Ill.". I I I I: 11·; II! ,. I I,,: I Sllllillll illl ickllh ell) I](JI IIClili ill Ii'll' 1'111I11'. Ik W,ldl I.,d)S: August 2007: MXit commissions their Euro ( r iIi c: i '~111 t I i :"(1 fIe I ,I ii-H.' '.., i t' ( Il()!(»~_\ li()!,,:,- I-l(')! \il-lcic'I-S!,IIICi pean Data Centre in Frankfurt, till' (1111111'1 IIII!( ,\ I i( III I III) I :'. Germany. This is essentially a Slul li',ls 11,1\1' \)1'<'11 dllll!! ,i server farm to handle most of the [ U I (I I' ( d (Ie ". 1\1 XI I I S III '-' ;' (' ! ') ,I international traffic from South new (llJlllllLlllil dlil)ll illl'ill{JCI . Africa. 11 .Sllll1C(lIIl' 1.1le',I"'; illio ,I I,ll' usinC'. il 11,1 III 1l1l-' I'. (III )'II!I ili,II,II.' February 2008: MXit introduces a self-developed, Bid I." illlCl 1)C I. 1•. 1' I I() I III d IIIIf high scalability software to III I' III ~~ II II,I! 11111 t' I' I 11 ,I! 11 I I) ! l assure continued growth and in LI S l~ I. () h J (' d k J n 1n 1_, ~ I -') :) '; I j, J i . , the j.lCISUIl·c,i ,HI Ii. novation. SMF 17 TECHNOIMPAIRED Africa has a population of approximately 800 million but has been historically limited by poverty, under-development and internal conflict. STEPHAN MATTHEE investigates whether current shortcomings in communications networks are limiting the media's development. 18 SMF ------undreds of years of slavery, coloni OMD South Africa reports , it is leagues need to be reassessed for the universal sation and political and economic behind the former colonial powers, for aim of improved networks, and therefore Hsubjugation have left Africa poor example. The ITU reports that France, media, to be realised. and wracked with a litany of woes. With the Germany and the United Kingdom each Instead, petty infighting between states "third wave of democratisation," as Samuel has upwards of 30 million internet users, seems to be the order of the day. The P Huntington called the period in which more than triple the total number of users Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System F:o former African colonies democratised after in the SADC. (EASSy) is an initiative to connect coun o 1974, it appeared as if Africa had finally tries of Eastern Africa using an ultra-high o escaped the ravages Western imperialism bandwidth fibre-optic cable system to the - had wrought. rest of the world's high-speed fibre-optic ..c:: Africa's tele u= In these fledgling democracies, the networks. Q) media were presented with a new role. The project is a "milestone in the de f-4 "Holding government and other power phone networks velopment of information infrastructure," ful institutions to account is crucial ," says according to the Collaboration on Inter Dr Paddy Coulter of Oxford University's are old and national ICT Policy for East and Southern Reuters Foundation. The late twentieth Africa. EASSy was planned to run from century saw the African media expanding largely out Mtunzini in South Africa to Port Sudan i and taking on the role of watchdog. Sudan, with landing points in six coun Simultaneously, the 1980s and 1990s dated, and the tries, and connected to other landlocked heralded astounding progress in the field countries, none of which would then have of digital media across the world . Africa costs passed on to rely on expensive satellite systems. The and much of the developing world was "un system began construction in March 2008, surprisingly tardy" in adapting to the new to consumers and is due to be completed towards the media, according to economist and politi end of 2009. cal scientist Paul Collier. "Because of the relatively high The only problem, as the BBC reported, colonial heritage, Africa 's relatively small is that Kenya has withdrawn from the initia states each have poor communications tive before the project even began. Presi networks," he maintains. With the vital role dent Mbeki opted to rename the project of informing the populace and keeping the Africa is making do without the terres the NEPAD-friendly moniker of the Nepa new leaders liable, it may be problematic if trial technology in parts, though. Cellular Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN). these networks can't keep pace with global phone networks and satellite technology The Kenyans have jumped ship to a developments. are already "leapfrogging" infrastructure cable stem partn ed with China in order The United Nations estimates of Africa's shortcomings. Africa is the fastest growing to keep political bragging rights divor~d population indicates that a seventh of the cellular telephone market in the world. In from the multilateral NBIN. world's population inhabit the continent. South Africa, there are almost 40 mil Coulter says that comp . 'veness and The International Telecommunications lion cellphone users according to OMD, one-upmanship have historicalit' been a Union (ITU) show that it accounts for only compared to a mere 5 million landlines. stumbling block for post-colonial Africa, 4 3% of global internet usage in 2007. With Wireless internet is a possible solution, but where the prestige of mfrastructure proj global internet usage having risen approxi even then it is only viable in urban centres ects often overshadow their practicality or mately 290% since 2000, according to Net and contingent on wireless servers. Cel lack thereof. craft data collection, Africa is punching far lular telephone-based networks are also a Africa is already playin9"tetch-up from below its weight class in the cyber world. possibility - South Africa has some of the a position 0 considerable dis vanta The digital divide looms deeper over time, cheapest cell phone-based internet in the Perhaps the sma st approach would be but with the world media ra ci ng ahead, world, according to South Africa Online. cooperation ts> ai ne anothet:. ·n upgrad "Africa can ill afford to be left behind," says Fixed-line internet is still fast, information ing and going digital. Coulter. -dense and efficient. Whether this will be NBIN will be "a broadband (Ie What then is the problem? In simple enough incentive for the necessary capital links 54 African cbuntries a wi! terms, money. Africa's telephone networks investment is yet unclear. abundal)t bandwidth, ea,;1 are old and largely outdated, and the South African telecommunications ity and reduced c ost . costs passed on to consumers relatively policy has historically meandered between eAfrica Comission . high. Recent measures to improve the the ideals of the Reconstruction and Deve continent's networks include new under lopment Programme's proposed national sea fibre-optic cables along Africa's East economic growth and impartial develop Coast and the opening of telecom markets, ment within the internet, communication SOURCES: such as the granting of a new licence to and technology (ICT) sector according to International Telecommunica Neotel in South Africa. As an alternative the Independent Communications Author tion Union to the monopoly posed by Telkom , Neotel ity of South Africa (ICASA). The economic Netcraft World Server Survey launched in 2006, but has yet to establish liberalisation of the post-1994 period came Bridges.org a meaningful footprint in the South African into conflict with the fact that a de facto market. South African telephone and ICT telecom monopoly squashed competition South Africa Online costs are acknowledged as some of the and therefore lowered costs and improved OMD South Africa highest in the world , and competition could services. ICASA lower costs and increase access to fixed "South Africa needs deregulation of Nielsen/NetRatings line telecoms. Fixed-line ADSL is increas telecommunications," says Naspers CEO The Role of the Media in the De ingly the standard, and is vital to access Koos Bekker. many of Web 2.0's more complex features, Instead, South Africa is a microcosm velopment ofAfrica - Dr Paddy according to the ITU. of sub-Saharan Africa's digital divide from Coulter, Oxford University Though South Africa an d several of its the developed world. While sub-Saharan The Third Wave of Democratiza SADC partners may be ahead of the pack Africa remains economically and devel tion - Samuel P. Huntington, as there are more than 5 million internet opmentally inferior, information should be NEPAD eAfrica Commission users in SA's population of 47 million, as equal to us all. Policies throughout Africa COrding to an article published on for news and information, but not Reuters online at the beginning displace anything else". ~ f this year, worldwide mo- 1:!~~~!!I.....__ Gregor Rohrig, New Media Specialist bile phone subscriptions reached at Avusa Media, works with mobile 3.3 billion users at the end of 2007. applications for the media group. In This is half the world's popula- an email interview, he said he too tion. Compared to older media, feels that more traditional forms of this shows an extraordinarily large media need not see mobile tech growth of a medium in a relatively nology as a threat but rather as an short time - cellular phones were aid. "Traditional media forms introduced to South Africa less than won't really be impacted two decades ago. since the traditional media Inevitably, the media have caught forms offer a different type onto this trend and now a fast, ac of content and experience. cessible and cheap version of the What needs to change, news and current affairs is available however, is the type of con on one's cellular phone, either by tent being produced, since subscribing to an SMS content for print, online, and serv ice or by using 3G (the mobile differs immensely due mobile internet). 3G sta nds to the means (output) through for th ird generatio n, as which it is consumed." internet-enabled mobiles Other journalism depart are the third ments, such as Rhodes Univer ph ase in mobile sity's School of Journalism, are technology (ana embracing this logue cellular new media and digital PCS approach in were the first their teach- and second). ings. Guy Matthew Berger, Buckland, Head of the former general Journalism manager of School says, the website, "As cell Mail&Guardian phones become Online, says more powerful and South Africa has their screens get bigger, and as a high cellular the mass media take on board the phone penetration value of citizen journalism, so the rate and this has poised South African public information mobile technology to be circuit can extend across the digital the mass media device of the divide." future in South Africa. "South Africa has a high cellular Part of the Rhodes project Buckland says an example involves using cellphone power to of this is the large online com phone penetration rate and this cultivate citizen journalists among pany Google announcing last local high school learners. Over year that it would make a "big has poised mobile technology to the next year, the cellphone Jour mobile play" in South Africa. nalism project will offer 80 senior That's not surprising on a be the mass media device of the scholars a chance to be part of the continent that has more mobile information loop by getting targeted users than fixed-line telephone future in South Africa." news feeds on their cellphones. users. The content will be about local Professor Anton Harber, forms. He says, "You will get only very politics, school news, sports and Head of the Journalism Department at Wits brief, very quick news this way and will entertainment, and emanate largely from University, however, feels this won't have still need to go to other media to get more. the Grocott's Mail newspaper and Rhodes a large impact on more traditional media I think it will add to the options available journalism students. SMF 21 M edia 24 TYDSKRIFTE MAGAZINES Goi ng it alo ne I J Sf) l~f) ,J f)(J IIN1'I~IS)1 What happens when one journo can write engaging accounts, capture defining still images, shoot and edit high-quality vi deo and upload it all on the internet? Jason Boswell guides you through the brave new world of Solo Journalism. na constantly evolving media world, was born. kevinsitesreports. com, Sites also initiated journalists are becoming increasingly "Solo journalist" as a term is fairly self a research project with Xybernaut Inc. to I multi-skilled, often writing stories and explanatory; a single journalist kitted out modify wearable computers for solo digital having to shoot their own pictures. Media with a high-tech mobile office in their bag reporting . education is also focusing on developing who is able to report from anywhere on So while you don't need to be a muscle multi-faceted journalists. Would that mean, the planet across a range of media. So to bound superhuman to carry the equip by looking through the evolutionary crystal start off with, a solo journalist is going to ment, another concern becomes evident. ball, that the epitome of modern journal need some powerful equipment. Mobile early Ritz, multimedia editor at The Times , ism would be a single journalist that could and "backpack" journalism are some of the says, "You'll have to be really careful about do all these things simultaneously? What other terms used to describe this type of exactly is this "SoJo" stuff anyway, and is journalism. These terms not only show that the media world ready for it? this new journo needs a load of equip "The veteran corre Aptly, the solo journalism trend started ment, but the stuff needs to be compact with one man . When you plug the words enough for one person to lug about, often spondent's idea was 'Solo Journalism' into any internet search in strenuous conditions. engine, and hit enter, one name is guar Sites carried with him an arsenal of accepted, and a new anteed to be blinking back at you from the multimedia equipment which included a screen; Kevin Sites. high-definition video camera, a back-up trend in journalism was Sites pitched this idea to a major in video camera which could be mounted born." ternet company in 2005: "Yahoo! outma to his head to provide an exceptionally neuvers its internet competitors and the geeky-Iooking hands-free kit, a laptop com dinosaur television networks by deploying puter loaded with a top-notch video-editing veteran combat correspondent and pio suite and other essential programmes, a burn-out and fatiguing these journalists." neering SoJo (solo journalist) Kevin Sites digital still camera, a satellite modem and Her concern was echoed by John Strauss, into global hotzones for live, interactive a satellite phone. an online reporter and editor for I ndy Star. reports using video, text and still imagery All this in one backpack. com , who covered the Indiana State fair as to tell the stories the world isn 't seeing and Whilst this seems like a huge amount of a solo journalist. He says on mobile providing them in a way they haven't seen equipment for one person to be dragging joumalism.blogspot.com, "Do that for a before." around, in total Sites' equipment weighed week and a half, and you'll not only need The veteran correspondent's idea was in at around five kilograms, - metaphori a backpack for the gear, you'll want a accepted, and a new trend in journalism cal dynamite. According to his website, vacation to recover, even if you're a former television and wire-service reporter." video quality. They are now offering a The numbers consolidate their con training program in Solo Video Journal cerns. In his book, In The Hot Zone, Sites ism open to working journalists as well as lists the statistics for his assignment; 368 those with little or no experience in shoot days travelled, 71 airplanes, 30 countries ing video. Their website, frontlineclub.com , travelled , 21 conflicts covered. And the real says: "This course has been developed crunch numbers; 1320 still photos posted, in response to the increasing demands CIJ 153 text stories written and 131 video on journalists to become multi-skilled and stories produced. embrace the rise of video journalism." - o~ In addition to the fatigue concern, Ritz Yes , the change is happening. CIJ also says that the technology in South And while it may be expensive to kit out ~ Africa would still need to improve before a new solo journalist, Sites also had an such an initiative is considered locally. identical kit as a back-up in case of emer She cites the bandwidth of the country's gencies; as with any business the costs internet connections as one of the main must be weighed against the benefits. hindrances for online multimedia and video Equipment prices will come down over productions. Bandwidth is not the only time and sending in one journalist would handicapping factor with regards to the be more cost-effective than a team of uploading of video material on the internet journalists. Ritz also says that mindsets in the local Initially this sort of work will be done by "One man: newsrooms have to change and journalists journalists such as Kevin Sites with years have to get used to writing for print as well of field experience from which to draw. as for the web . However, a new generation of journalists 368 days travelled, 71 Even Sites had his doubts about work is coming up through the ranks. Jonathan ing for a company that has an exclamation McCarthy, assistant managing editor of mark in the official spelling of its name. cross media at Newsday in the United planes, 30 countries John Strauss quotes Randy Covington , States, was quoted in the March edition director of the Ifra Newsplex Training of Th e Quill, published by the Society of Center, who says "he thinks the most Professional Journalists in the States. travelled, 21 conflicts powerful multimedia storytelling is being "Most of the kids in journalism schools done by newspapers, using still pictures have their Facebook pages and their and audio," stating that video is difficult to MySpace pages - they're all jacked up produce and often the quality is such that it already," McCarthy said. "They don't even covered... 1320 still does not add much value to the story. In a use email anymore; they're texting. They South African context, this is clearly visible expect to be doing this (multimedia work)." by the popularity of the slide shows on So where does this leave the solo jour photos posted, 153 many of the newspapers' sites. nalist in South Africa? Covington says, "In At London's prestigious Frontline Club, 2008, I don't think anybody can stick their a media club which provides media training head in the sand and say this is a passing text stories written amongst other things, courses are being trend.. .this is a reality. We either do it or introduced to counteract this problematic we risk not having jobs." and 131 vi deo stories produced ...imag ine the Sojo sites possi bi I ities ... " www.kevinsitesreports.net www.frontlineclub.co.uk www.digitaljournalist.org www. hotzone.yahoo.com n pwi\,Ier Pholo; www.,x(. U • SMF 25 ichelle Nell's morning routine has newspapers. That's why I have a reading As an example, Winter mentions been the same for most of the session with my dad every morning," she cell phones which were extremely M22 years that she has lived: she says. expensive a couple of years ago, but gets out of bed and makes her way to the On days she runs late or her parents are now so affordable they can, in his breakfast table. go to work early, she misses her daily opinion, be given away freely to people Because she has been living in her news and is forced to listen to the radio on the street. Q) current house for years, she finds her and television which she finds "dull" and "This is exactly what we are trying to path to the kitchen without even opening "not analytical enough". achieve with technology that will assist - ~o her eyes. visually impaired people," says Winter. Q) On good mornings, no obstacles block The question stands: is it possible for According to the I nternational Agency ~ her path to her father, who always sits at anyone with a visual impairment to gain for the Prevention of Blindness, over 90% the table reading a newspaper. access to the news without getting help of visually impaired people live in On bad mornings, she bumps and from someone else? Is there technolo developing countries. Therefore financial falls over "strategically placed" books and gy that can help blind people read the aid is a big challenge. shoes on the ground. news by themselves? And if not, why are James Gichuhi, managing director and Although her parents tell her to keep people with visual impairments left behind founder of Information Technology and her room tidy to avoid falling over objects, in an age marked by the need to make Applications Consulting Limited (ITAC procrastination almost always has her technology more robust, more comforta Ltd) in Kenya, agrees. "Getting finances tumbling to the ground as a result. ble, more accessible and more affordable for new technology and new research is a The dialogue at the table is the same for the human race? massive problem - especially in Africa". each morning: "Oh, there is technology," says Amos Gichuhi explains that his company not "Morning Dad. What's in the paper?" Winter, a researcher at the Massachu only helps to raise funds for the manu "Death." setts Institute of Technology (MIT), "but facturing of assistive technologies, but "What's really in the paper, Dad?" there are various problems in getting also helps handicapped people integrate "Selebi's trial starts, confusion over these gadgets to people around the into society by using these technologies the elections in Zim, Djokovic slams out world." for their own benefit. in the first round at Wimbledon ... anything In an email interview with SMF, Winter "Visually impaired individuals do have specific you want me to read?" explains that he runs a project that some access to the media, but the path "Yes, read the Zim story, read the invents and manufactures technology for to reading one newspaper is extremely letters column and see if there's a review people with disabilities. More importantly, expensive: you need a computer, access on a classical music concert and read they try to manufacture the technology to the internet and software that can read that too. Oh, and which celebrities are in such a way that people can actually the text on the screen to you. The amount featured on the third page?" afford to buy it. of money needed for this equipment can Michelle is blind, and this is the way "Often, a person who only makes a be extremely high." her morning has started every day since few hundred dollars a year needs a He also says that most visually im she began to have an interest in news. device that costs about that much. We paired individuals in Africa have no "I don't really listen to news bulletins are working to make low-cost mecha access to any form of media on the radio or television, because they nisms to help people to buy them and use independently, because it is too lack the analysis that I generally find in them in everyday life." expensive. (WHAT THE EYES DO NOT SEE, DOES GRIEVE THE HEART) ...... (How is literature currently translated into braille?) ia Greaves, section head of that spelling, layout and content at the Office fo r Students with Spe Rcirculation at the South African pages are ready for printing. cial Learning Needs Library for the Blind in Graham The DBT-file then translates it (OSSLN) at Stellenbosch Univer stown, explains that books can to dots (braille) and prints it on sity, adds that books can also be take up to two weeks to translate, special paper. scanned onto a computer. depending on the length. The books are bound on one "We scan it with an Optical "If the printed book is not in side Uust like normal books) and Character Recogc1ition programme, electronic format, a copy typist labelled on the cover in braille. but we then have to go through the will need to typ e the whole book," "Braille books can be extremely whole document to make sure that she says. bulky. The latest Harry Potter the formatting is correct, before we It is then converted with a book, which has 607 pages, was 13 print," she says. programme called Duxbury Braille volumes in total," she said. "It is extremely time-consuming Translator (DBT) and formatted so Philippa Louw, a braille officer and problematic." SMF 27 Like Winter, Gichuhi hopes his we leave the university during the holiday these," he says. company can find a solution to make we don't have any access to the internet, An SMF inquiry into some of South technologies less expensive, so that newspapers or magazines," she says. Africa's biggest libraries delivered dismal more people can have access to them. She adds that most blind people are results for any visually impaired person In an SMF interview with five of the older than 50 and do not have money to who has the need to read a newspaper or 17 visually impaired students at Stel even think of buying a computer. magazine in the comfort of a library. lenbosch University, the question about Andre Manders, access consultant at Currently, the National Library of accessing media brings nervous laughter the South African National Council for South Africa has "no facilities to assist us and a unanimous answer: "It's difficult!" the Blind, says the Jaws software costs ers th at are visually impaired" and, more Hanro Louwrens, a postgraduate between R10 000 and R12 000. ironically, th e South African Library for psychology student, says that He adds that optical scanners, which the Blind in Grahamstown does not offer te xt-to-speech software is available at the can scan newspapers and magazines newspapers to members university, and gives them access to the Ria Greaves, se ;tion head of internet and media . circulation at the S, uth African Library for "The problem is that the internet isn't UPEOPLE WITH the Blind, explains :hat newspapers are really friendly to the software that blind DISABILITIES IN not offered becaus" of logistical people use because pictures, links and problems. other graphics can't be interpreted by the SOUTH AFRICA LIVE She says newspapers are not in the software," says Louwrens. ON A GRANT OF R940 right format for software to translate it into Tamaryn Watson, a third-year sport AND THEREFORE Braille and that attempts to receive science student, adds that Jaws (the newspapers directly in el ectronic format software that reads text to them via CANNOT AFFORD from publishers have not been headphones that are plugged into the SCANNERS AND successful. computer) has its limits. SOFTWARE ... " "With electronic format I mean any file "Although most newspapers have that can be placed on a compact disc or websites, we have no access to lifestyle something as basic as a Microsoft Word pages or supplements like By in Die and then print them in Braille, cost around document that publishers ca n email to Burger. Also , most websites are R16 000. me ," says Greaves. extremely complicated to navigate and Manders also comments on new Philippa Louw, Braill e Officer at the takes hours to access," says Watson . technologies like the BrailieNote PK, Office for Students with Special Learning Programmes like Jaws can only read SpeakOn and other gadgets that can Needs (OSSLN) at Stellenbosch Univer English and people therefore have no read newspapers to users by just holding sity, says it would be wonderful if publish access to Afrikaans newspapers. the device over the desired text. ers would make electronic available. Elna Durr, a second-year humanities Unfortunately, the gadgets, which retail Louw confirmed that if a document student, says she feels sorry for at R40 000 and R6 000 respectively, can was sent to her with all of the newspa every blind person that is not at a only interpret English. per's articles in text form, i.e. with no universi ty and does not have access to "People with disabilities in South Africa graphics or layout, that she would be the Jaws software. live on a grant of R940 and therefore able to print it in Braille with the touch of "It is too expensive to buy and when cannot afford scanners and software like a button . •• • • • •• • •• •• • •• • • • •• • •• • • • • •• • • • • •• • ••• ••• • •• • • • • •• • • •• • • • • •• • •• • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • •• • •• • • • •• • • • • • •• • •• • • • • • • •• •• • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ·• • • • •• • • • • •• • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • •• •• •• • • • • • •• • • • • •• • • • • •• • • •• • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • •• • .. .. •• • • ••• • • • •• •• • • • •• • • • •• • · • •• • • ...... Cataracts Diabetic Retinopathy Glaucoma 28 SMF ...... READING A NEWSPAPER Michelle Nell, a blind student at Stellenbosch University, with some of the equipment she uses that enables her to " read the news". The technology reads documents and online content to her via headphones. Photo: Chri stiaan Boonloier She also says not all documents need would be quite time-consuming. As far as she knows, there are cur to be printed out because some students "Every story lies in a different file , rently no extra hands available on the have text-to-speech programmes on their therefore every heading, byline and staff to compile this document. She also computers which would be able to read article needs to be copied and pasted did not have any success in finding out those documents to them. separately into one big document." whether Die Burger plans to compile such But is a document like this possible? Kloppers adds that while it is a newsletter. Jacolette Kloppers, senior subeditor at technically possible and baSically a mat For now, however, the visually impaired Die Burger, said generating such a ter of copy and paste, this task would will have to continue struggling to gain document wouldn't be difficult, but it take a few hours to complete. access to their daily news . ...... '" . Hyperopia (Farsightedness) Macular Degeneration Retinitis Pi gmentosa (All of the images in this section were researched and manipulated by the writer, using a Visual Impairment Simulator.) SMF 29 Picture : Microsoft Offl(e Online Lerat o Mbele and Khanyi Dhlomo are regarded by many as the two most fashionable and elegant women in media. The two are major players in an industry that has for years been dominated by men in grey suits and they do it looking as graceful as ever. WRITTEN BY NOZUKO BASSON 30 SMF CIJ he South African media, since Dyantyi from The Star, Ingrid Wood from -o~ the birth of democracy, has gone Elle magazine and Cara Bouwer, former CIJ Tthrough dramatic changes which deputy special projects manager for Il.. have led it to where it is today. In her Business Day. address delivered on 7 March 2006 at the In an email interview about her role as launch of the Global Media Monitoring editor, Dhlomo said: "As founding editor of Project (GMMP) at Constitution Hill , Destiny magazine and managing director Braamfontein , the then Deputy President of Ndalo media, my job entails driving all focuses on issues that affect Africa and its Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted aspects of the magazine from editorial people. the question "who makes the news?" content, directing sales and marketing "It's important to realise that TV is team According to the GMMP findings, it was teams and working with the operations work, and many people are paid to make clear that women did. manager to ensure long term growth of you look and sound good, so acknowledge The rights to dignity, equality, and Destiny." them and respect them," says Mbele. It's non-sexism were the cornerstones of the Like Dhlomo, Mbele is no stranger no wonder that Th e Star called Mbele one Freedom Charter and were subsequently to the pressures of the media world of the 'Top 100 South Africans' in 2006. included as founding provisions in the and is vocal about her passion for the This thirty-year-old dazzles viewers South African Constitution. "Women's development of young women in South with her beauty, intelligence and rights are included in our Bill of Africa and Africa. Mainly focusing on professionalism. Having had the honour Rights today," said Mlambo-Ngcuka. of interviewing African leaders and other With that in mind, it would only be great people of our time, Mbele not only fair to say that for equality to take Viewers seePIIBt the demands the total attention of her viewers, place in the media, it is up to the but does it with grace and elegance. "Each individual to make a difference. expensive clothes BJld Tuesday night I interview world leaders, Khanyi Dhlomo, founding editor of coiffed hair. .. mainly African, about the challenges Destiny magazine and managing director we face on the continent and I get their of Ndalo Media, and Lerato Mbele, anchor perspective on finding solutions to Africa's of CNBC Africa's Th e Other Dimension, problems," says Mbele. have set a new standard of class and political affairs through Inspired by different things in life, elegance in media . According to numerous the broadcasting medium, Mbele has Mbele has relied on the mercy of God . "It news reports in the Sowetan, the two are a been one of the few women in media is important to note that I am where I am combination of "beauty and brains" and are who has changed the way women by the grace and blessings that God has always finding ways to empower the South are represented in the industry. "I feel brought upon me, so saying thank you to African woman through their influence in wonderful when I am told that I am a my Redeemer is the nucleus of how I start media. role model and then being invited to do and end my day," says Mbele. Who can forget the Face of Lux who outreach and charity work with young Talent goes a long way in the journalism took a black women's magazine and women who need encouragement," says business, but hard work and determination revamped it to become South Africa 's best Mbele. are key factors when wanting to make seller. During her years with True Love At the start of her career, Mbele a difference. Though many people think magazine, Dhlomo received many awards. produced the current affairs radio these two women are glamorous, they In 1997 she was voted South Africa's 'Best programme AM Live at SAfm. Because of are in fact, down to earth. Maybe this is Dressed Woman' and 'Most Stylish News her dedication, hard work and passion for why they are able to understand the daily Reader' by Elle magazine and in 2001 African affairs, Mbele proved she was a experiences lived by any woman. AdVantage voted her 'Magazine Editor of woman who could be the voice of Africa, the Year'. something media companies It was by being the best that Dhlomo soon realised when she began changed the world of women's magazines. making headlines with her Sources: Mlambo-Ngcuka: Launch of Under her leadership, True Love doubled journalistic skills. Global Media Monitoring Project its readership and circulation figures and Soon after she left SAfm , Mbele was (GMMP) www. polity.org.za was voted 'Consumer Magazine of the approached by SABC Africa to anchor a Khanyi Dhlomo's Destiny with Media24 Year' in 2001 by AdVantage. In 2003, weekly programme focusing on diplomacy www .bizcommunity.com Dhlomo was named one of the most and politics. On her return from London, Ms Khanyi Dhlomo - www .whoswhosa. influential women in media by Th e Media where she had completed a postgraduate co.za Launch of Destiny - www.bizcommu magazine. degree in African Studies, she was nity .com Now back with a new "baby" called approached by SABC News to host the Lerato Mblele - www.cnbcafrica.com Destiny, Dhlomo has gathered some of SABC 3 News@10 and In the Public Interest. DESTINY talks to Lerato Mbele of CNBC the top women in South African media to In 2007, CNBC Africa approached her. She Africa. - Destiny Magazine : April is create a high-end business and lifestyle was to be the face of The Other Dimension, sue, 2008 magazine for women. They include Aurelia a current affairs television programme that SMF 31 ••• nothing wrong with being and professional ... What does your job entail? Does being a public figure determine I cover business and market news how you dress? about Africa, to the rest of Africa. That's Neverl done on my daily breakfast programme, What is the greatest moment in your Business AM. The other programme I career? present is on politics and the economy, Having Nobel Peace Prize winners entitled The Other Dimension . Wangari Maathai and FW De Klerk on What dress code does your job require? the show. Getting an interview with News, especially business news, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and requires a level of conservative formality, United States civil rights activist and usually dark suits. But I like fitted wrap Baptist minister, Jesse Jackson a few around dresses, so it's usually a dress years ago. and a smart, matching jacket, or if I wear What is your key to success? a formal suit, th en after the show I change Humility and confidence all wrapped into jeans and a smart top. up in spirituality. I believe it's absolutely How do you dress to meet those re important to believe in yourself and trust quirements ? your own instinct. But even with this level Fortunately, as a senior anchor at of confidence, it's important to recognise CNBC, I have been given a sponsorship your limitations, so that you are open to deal with Stuttafords, so I have been able learning from others. to choose from their gorgeous Polo, Oak What are your ambitions in life and tree and Carducci ranges. When I spend what motivates you towards them? my own money, I love the Woolworths I strive to be a woman of beauty, Classic Woman range, Nicci Boutique, peace and integrity ... That's all that Hip-Hop and Jo Borkett for some eclectic matters at the end of the day. velvets and Fren ch cu ts . Where do you see yourself Do you dress to look the part, or does in the next five years? being comfortable contribute? Maybe in business, Comfort is keyl I think in TV and in life, maybe doing an Oprah it's important to be yourself. Viewers see style talk show, maybe past the expensive clothes and coiffed hair, being a mother, maybe if you are elegant and soulful it will come doing all these things across whatever you're wearing . So a pro in one go. fessional demeanour is important, but it's critical to be comfortable in your own skin. Who is your fa vourite designer? Stoned Cherri, Prada , Yves St. Laurent and most things that are just elegant and clean-lined. Define what power dressing means to you? It means being feminine and elegant and comfortable. 3 2 SMF ... 1 see myself heading up a successful media and investment company in the near future ... What does yourjob entail? What is your key to As managing director I am concerned success? with driving business growth by continuing Focus, hard work and being good to to explore new opportunities and ventures others and to yourself. for Ndalo Media. Wh at are your ambitions in life and Wh at dress code does your job require? what motivates you towards One that is quite formal and profes them? sional. I want to grow my business How do you dress to meet those re into a leading media and quirements? investment company in I love tailored suits and shirts. I also South Africa and stay as love dresses that make me feel feminine. happy as I am now. Do you dress to look the part or does being comfortable contribute? A little bit of both. I always try to be comfortable in whatever I wear whilst respecting the dress code. Who is your favourite designer? Diane von Furstenberg, Dior, Bottega, and Veneta. Define what power dressing means to you? It's when you wear the clothes, and not the other way round . I understand my body and dress accordingly by playing up my best features. With this in place, I automati cally feel more confident about my look. I always try not to succumb to trends and fads by choosing timeless pieces. Does being a public figure determine how you dress? I always like to look presentable in whatever I wear. But I always like to be true to myself when I dress. \ Wh at is the greatest moment in your career? Obtaining my MBA from Harvard in 2007 and the launch of Destiny magazine. / Pictures of Lerato and Khanyi courtesy of Destiny magazine Phologfopher: Nick Boullon - SMF 33 Winti g jaar gelede het die Suid ter, nie genoeg is nie, is die internet 'n Afrikaanse tydskrifmark uit enkele verdere uitdaging. Gaan vrouetydskrifte Tgroot publikasies bestaan wat en die internet teenoor mekaar te staan aan 'n wye spektrum van verbruikers se kom of verenig om te oorleef in 'n uiters behoeftes voldoen het. Vandag bring kompeterende mediabedryf? digitale ontwikkeling mee dat publikasies In die Augustus 2007-uitgawe van by die internet sal moet aanpas om aan The Media se Patricia Scholtemeyer, die mod erne verbruikers se behoeftes te Suid-Afrika se sogenaamde magazine voldoen. queen en vorige uitvoerende hoof van Koos Bekker, uitvoerende hoof van Media24 Tydskrifte, verbruikers se Naspers en media-visioener, het onlangs smake en voorkeure verander vinnig en in 'n onderhoud gese drukmedia se dae is voortdurend. Daarom moet uitgewers getel: die toekoms is digitaal. altyd twee tree vooruit wees om die Maar wat hou die ontwikkelings in die toekomstige verloop van ten dense in die mediabedryf vir Suid-Afrikaanse vroue verbruikersmark raak te sien. tydskrifte in? Veral omdat breeband Maar wat in die verhouding tussen die toegang in Suid-Afrika nog 'n probleem internet en vrouetydskrifte gaan gebeur, is. is op die oomblik bloot nog 'n raaisel, Volgens OMD se jongste Media Facts want sulke vooruitskattings is noodwen 2008 is daar maar slegs 5.1 miljoen inter dig gebaseer op aannames wat onder netgebruikers in Suid-Afrika. Elna Ros hewig is aan die onvoorspelbaarheid van souw, 'n vorige assistent-redakteur van die verbruiker se smake en voorkeure. rooi rose en tans dosent in Joernalistiek Die gevestigde titels en handelsmerke aan die Universiteit van Johannesburg, word vandag nog as belangrike rolspelers skryf in haar meesters-tesis: "Waar daar in die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrifbedryf eers net 'n tiental vrouetydskrifte was beskou. Rooi rose het in April 1942 waaruit lesers kon kies, is winkelrakke verskyn, en op 1 Julie 1949 is die eerste nou tot boordensvol met glanspublikasies uitgawe van Sarie Marais (vandag wat elke moontlike behoefte of begeerte net SARIE en Suid-Afrika se voorste van vroulike lesers aanspreek." vrouetydskrif) uitgegee, met Fair Lady Clare O'Donoghue, redakteur van die (vandag FAIRLADY) wat in 1967 op die tydskrif InStyle, se in die Augustus 2007 rakke verskyn he!. uitgawe van The Media die vrouetydskrif Rossouw skryf in haar tesis, Die mark het die afgelope tien jaar ontplof, Fragmentasie in die Suid-Afrikaanse wat mededinging in die bedryf 'n paar vrouetydskrifmark: Die Invfoed van "vrou grade warmer gemaak he!. gerigte" nistydskrifte op die "tradisionele Dit word bevestig deur die Media algemene belangstelling", daar is Facts 2008. Volgens Rossouw het Suid voorheen wereldwyd nie veer aandag Afrika in 2004 meer as 400 hoofstroom deur die hoofstroom-massamedia aan tydskriftitels gehad. Die meeste fokus op die vroue gegee nie. Dit kan toegeskryf hoogs gespesialiseerde nismarkte en het word aan 'n minderwaardige rol wat gevolglik kleiner sirkulasiesyfers. vroue in die samelewing vertolk het, John Relihan, hoof van Media24 en die reklamewese wat nog nie so 'n Tydskrifte, se in The Media Online Review manupileringsmag was nie. 2006: "Indien 'n tydskrif nie in die bedryf Prof Lizette Rabe skryf in haar aanpas nie, sal die gevolg daarvan meesterstesis, Die ontstaan en die ontwik duidelik in die verkoopsyfers weerspieel keling van Sarie Marais as massa-tydskrif word. Ons vasteland is 'n diverse en vir die Afrikaanse vrou, daar is v66r die fassinerende deer van die res van die verskyning van SARIE nie veer gedoen wereld en die inhoud, styl en aan vrytydleesstof vir die "ontwikkelde" produksiewaardes van tydskrifte moet Afrikaanse vrou nie. Sy moes tevrede voortdurend aangepas word om aan 'n wees met die genoemde vrouetydsrifte of spesifieke mark se vereistes te voldoen." die rubrieke in bestaande tydskrifte soos Volgens Rossouw het die voorkoms Huisgenoot en Landbouweekblad. en samestelling van tydskrifte in die Die Engelse vrouetydskrifmark het Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikersmark radikaal aansienlik ontwikkel met die koms van verander gedurende die laaste twee internasionale vrouetydskrifte. In 1984 is dekades. Cosmopolitan deur Jane Raphaely se As Hierdie fragmentasie in die Suid sociated Magazines ver-Suid-Afrikaans Afrikaanse vrouetydskrif-mark het byna en onder lisensie saam met Media24 (toe oornag gebeur en daar is geen twyfel da t Nasionale Tydskrifte) uitgegee. Dit is in die koms van vrou-gerigte nistydskrifte 1990 gevolg deur die Franse tydskrifte die landskap van Suid-Afrikaanse vroue Elle, in 1997 deur marie claire en in 2000 tydskrifte heeltemal verander het nie. Vol met The Oprah Magazine, O. gens Rossouw fokus nistydskrifte vandag SMF het met medialeiers, uitgewers op bepaalde vrou-gerigte onderwerpe en redakteurs van onder meer FAIRLADY, soos huis, dekor, tuin, kos, gesondheid, Leet met hart & siel, Femina, Psychologies, leefstyl, handwerk en ouerskap. Tuis, en Home per e-pos onderhoude Asof die "nissifisering" van die mark, gevoer om te hoor wat hulle dink die wat in al hoe kleiner fragmente splin toekoms vir vrouetydskrifte in Suid-Afrika SMF 3S ~:~; l ~j;;:,~~'y~~ Finding work you lo ve ..lATlOMIHII'$ Fncnd,p3I'Cnt. thoroplst." W hich role do yo u play? 'Gaa n ek my geHefdes herk en?' ander groot vrae OnS maak lesers mooi! oor die hemel inhou. gewers Heather Parker, Anneke Blaise, Michelle van Breda, redakteur van Volgens Ton Vosloo, voorma lige Charlene Beukes , Suzy Brokensha en SARIE, se: "Wat vandag werk, sal heel uitvoerende hoof van Naspers, moet tyd Christine Ferreira blyk dit dat daar op tyd moontli k nie more werk nie. In die skrifte hu lself wereldwyd herposisioneer skrifte se inhoud, handels naam, sosiale tydskri f-wereld is daar nie so iets soos 'n met die koms van die digitale era. netwerke, idees en ideale gesteun word vyf-jaar-plan nie." Media24 Tydskrifte skep s6 digitale om die titels se identiteit te behou in hul Tydskrifte word nie net deur die inter uitgawes en ontwikkel spesialis-afdelings digita le vorm. net gekonfronteer om hulself gedurig te as alleenstaande titels in die vorm va n Hoewel die internet 'n "bedreiging" herdefinieer nie. Deegli ke bemarking is ni stydskri fte. inhou vir vrouetydskrifte, wil uitgewers ook 'n noodsaak. "Daar is meer opti misme by Media24 eerder toesien dat tydskrifte hul Daarom maak sommige tydskrifte Tydskrifte oor hul toekoms in gedrukte kenmerkende formaat behou, maar soos Leet met hart & siel staat op die vorm as by koerantredakteurs. Vanwee aanpas by die internet, deur gebruik produk se oorhoofse handelsnaam. Die tydskrifte se langer koopfrekwensie, te maak van kuber-geselsruimtes, Leet-tydskrif word steeds as die vl ag meestal maandel iks, is vrouetydskrifte el ektroniese gebedskamers, skipproduk beskou, maar met ander mi nder kwesbaar teen die frenetiese inspirasie e-posse, vinnige mode- en spli nterprodukte kan tydskrifte verdere daagli kse aanslag van die internet." skoonheidswenke en selfs resepte en uitbreidings soos aanlyndienste ontwikkel Verder, se Vosloo, bring die internet reisgidse om die interaksie tussen die onder die dak van die handelsnaam en on middell ike nuus, en baan die weg vir tydskrif en die leser te verbeter. s6 steeds aan ve rbruikers se behoeftes rustiger agtergrond-arti kels wat ook op vol doen en aanpas. die internet geplaas kan word. Vroue raak 'n Mens kan dus voorlopig se die verknog aan tydskrifte wat hulle as hul "Media24 Tydskrifte verhouding tussen vrouetydskrifte en die eie toe-eien, se hy. internet kan waarsky nlik tot groot vernu "V roue waardeer die taktiele gevoel wing lei. Dan sal vrouetydskrifte getrou van goeie pa pier, keurige drukwerk, puik se ondervinding tot op moet bly aan dft wat hull e uniek maak: illustrasiemateri aal en die inti mi teit wat inhoud, voorkoms en handelsmerk. gunstel ingrubriekskrywers meebri ng." Dit datum is dat vroue oor ontbreek op die internet, se Vosloo. "Maar, hierdie benadering kan dalk oor see, waar daar reeds die lange duur onverstandig blyk, want leespatrone kan anders kristalliseer oor sterk breeband-internet 'n paar jaar wanneer die internet met sy breeband in Suid-Afrika deeglik in aksie Bronne: is. is, steeds gereeld hul "Dan kan bevind word dat die jonger Rabe, L. 1985. Die ontstaan en die geslag by ons ook nie meer tydskrifbewus gunsteling-vrouetyd ontwikkeling van Sarie Marais as is nie, soos nou reeds die geval is by massa-tyskrif vir die Afrikaanse dagblaaie. Maar Media24 Tydskrifte se skrifte koop." vrou. ondervinding is tans dat vroue oorsee, Rossouw, E. 2005 . Die Fragmentasie waa r daar reeds sterk breeba nd in die Suid-Afrikaanse vrouetyd internet is, nog gereeld hul gunsteling skrifmark: Die Invloed van "vrou vrouetydskri fte koop. Dit is asof vroue Verder word van redakteurs verwag gerigte" nistydskrifte op die "tra tog periodiek 'n stil tyd van afsondering om nie net goeie redakteurs te wees soek met 'n vertroude tydskrif in die nie, maar om mediabestuurders te disionele algemene belangstelling" hand as teenmiddel teen die gejaagde wees. Hulle moet die ni smark verstaan, - Vrouetydskrif. lewe waarin sy haarself bevind, en dit hul tydskrif- handelsnaam ontwikkel en The Media, Augustus 2007 behoort vir Media24 se vrouetydskrif fokus op goeie inhoud, maar moet ook The Media, Collection Online RevieV\ redakteurs rede tot vo lgehoue geloof in regverdige bestuurders, slim bemarkers, 2006 die voortbestaan op volhoubare basis van selfversekerde open bare sprekers en Voorbladfotos: Toestemming Me hul tydskrifte te gee." kundige sakevroue wees, se O'Donoghue dia24 Uit onderhoude met redakteurs en uit in 'n The Media -onderhoud. Grafika: www.sxc. hu - drea mjay 36 SMF Woorde vir Afrika Miljoene Suid-Afrikaners raadpleeg daagliks Media24 se titels vir nuus. inligting. raad en vermaak. En hoewel elke titel 'n unieke karakter het, het almal die vermoe om mense met die krag van woorde te raak. Media24, as Afrika se toonaangewende uitgewer van die geskrewe woord. het belange in koerante, tydskrifte. digitale besighede. boekui tgewerye, drukkers en verspreidingsmaatsl Media24 Koerante gee jaarliks bykans 60 titels en ongeveer 341.8 miljoen koerante uit, waarvan talle leiers in hul onderskeie markte is. Ven ter MyW, k Beeld H raId City Vision lou wereld, lou koerant g;'3:1] ~ I Exp "" ss DIE BURGER IHJII.'MJmtl Cih • Press s$ Gn WitneHs~~Rinpport l -_.- v~ flud VOLI(SBLAD Tv!K;r I kIy Herald Bloem nuu a Gaz tt Ei""l1lM~ ( os HOU JOU IN VOELING. MET WOORDE. Media 24 Corporate Com muncation Photo: Marlene Neethling Can u sms it 2me? Development at Die Burger, said in an Africa is one of the countries with the email interview that she is interested cheapest cell phone internet in the world, in seeing how cell phones as a medium says Peet Kruger, editor of Bee/d. He was for receiving and producing news will addressing the BPhil journalism class of ou heard that video killed the develop and shape the media landscape Stellenbosch University at Bee/d's offices in y radio star. Now it seems that the in South Africa . Cell phones, Le Roux Auckland Park. This is another reason why cell phone is killing print. believes, have the ability to put people it should be encouraged and exploited as Teenagers and young adults may be in developing countries on the same a means of bringing news to young people able to accurately explain how GPRS footing as in developed countries. Only in particular. Mondli Makhanya, editor of works on their cellphones, or how 8% of the South African population have the Sunday Times, also speaking to the Facebook can be accessed from their access to the internet while 70% have BPhil class at the Sunday Times offices in phones. But they are uncertain of where access to ceil phones, according to www. Rosebank, says: "You want to get young this year's Olympic Games are being held mediac/ubsouthafrica. com. people reading so that in ten years' time or how old Madiba is. Using mobile technology as a means to they are still reading, perhaps not the Generation Yare growing up with a inform and educate young people should paper, but online, or wherever then." myriad of information at their immediate then be considered more seriously. It could Does this mean that print is dying? Not disposal. New technologies bring the world potentially be the way to bridge the digital just yet, says Le Roux, especially not in to their doorsteps, or rather their N95s or divide that exists in South Africa. Inequality developing countries. She says Die Burger X510s, yet they know very little about the concerning access to information remains are actively trying to make younger people world. an obstacle in South Africa due to socio part of the newspaper. This is taking place With the media, in its widest definition, economic factors. in the production phase by employing gradually infiltrating every aspect of our younger people, as well as in the content lives, should we be concerned about this "Young people are of the paper, with younger faces and seemingly uninterested and apathetic ruthlessly efficient voices, for example. generation? The medium appears to be Gavin Rheeder, Communications and very important to them but the message is media consumers" Marketing Manager for Bee/d, speaking lost, or rather, deemed unimportant. alongside Kruger at the same event, says It appears that part of the solution to An article recently published on the the paper's penetration of the 16-24 age the problem lies in bringing the world to website www.thoughtleader.co.za written group market has increased from nine to young people in the format they prefer. by Steve Vosloo, a Communication and 22%. He says that there is the perception Khwezi Magwaza, editor of Seventeen Analytical Skills Fellow at the Shuttleworth that it is a very difficult market to reach. magazine, said in an email interview, Foundation, considers the merits of using He adds, however, that it is the market that when catering for the youth market MXit to learn. Early last year the Meraka that consumes a lot more media simply it is important to constantly be ahead of Institute of the Council for Scientific and because they have the time to do so . the trend because teens live in a much Industrial Research launched an initiative. Bee/d's secret has been to identify faster technology-driven environment than It allows learners to send questions about the youth as a distinct market and cater adults. maths to the 'Math on Mxit' number and specifically for that market. "This marketing Teenagers are growing up in a world enter into a discussion with a tutor ready to has to take place through channels that the where "mobile interactivity is a given answer any question from the entire high youth are familiar with." Bee/d also realised and technology has made participation a school mathematics syllables, according that the youth are not going to go looking reflex", says the Fleishman and Hilliard to Vosloo. The initiative has about 1 000 for the product so it has to be taken to Professional Communication Spring 2008 learners that it helps weekdays between them. Youth Trends Report. An SMF survey 2pm and 8pm. While it is difficult to assess Rheeder argues that it's when news amongst grade ten learners at Brackenfell its success rate, learners have been becomes relevant to one's life that one High School found that nearly all of them asking for a similar service for science. starts reading. The important thing then is have celiphones and 90% use MXit on a MXit has more than 5,8 million to go through the different life stages with daily basis. The teenagers reported that subscribers in South Africa, adding 10 people and constantly adapt and cater to chatting to friends on this mobile instant 000 to 12 000 subscribers dailY,according their changing needs. Often this means messaging application is one of their to Vosloo. It is a cheap way of providing presenting the product using the right favourite pastimes. access to informational content and it's medium. This should then be read as one of mobile, which means it can be used Young people are "ruthlessly efficient the Signals of how young people want to anytime, anywhere. Its potential is media consumers", states the Youth experience the world. Brackenfell High gradually being realised. As a means Trends Report. "Young people are not learners all agreed that getting the news of supplementing classroom education, used to being quiet and in the corner on their cell phones would be the best way Vosloo believes this may be the only anymore," Le Roux says. "They know what to get them interested. opportunity many young people in South they want, they ask for it, and they will "Going mobile" may be the way of the Africa have to benefit from the skills of go wherever they get it, or even create or future to both inform and educate. Frieda qualified educators. produce it themselves. Respect them as a Ie Roux, editor of Research and Product And what about news media? South market." SMF 39 , =~-• People are finding new and innovative ways of accessing information faster. Today South Africans quickly access news updates from their cell phones, do a search on the internet or switch to the twenty-four hour news television channel that constantly provides news feeds. This has allowed people to get a fair variety of news, putting individuals in a position to critically decide on their stance. explores the developments in technology and how they have made news more accessible for South Africans. o you remember the time when word of mouth was the main Dsource of information? When your neighbour would pass on the message. Christa van Louw (49) was born in Cal vinia, where she lived for the first ten years of her life. "I remember being sent as a child to my mother's friend with a message that the church had burnt down," says Van Louw. "We were not fortunate enough to make a phone call," she added. She recalls this as the time when radio presenters provided the times and dates of events, and when the seven o'clock news was family time because everyone gathered around the television set to get an update of the day's events. It was not too long ago that these minimal sources of information were the fundamental ways in • which people accessed the news. The exciting world of the media is re structuring society as technology is chang ing. These changes are creating new and different modes of accessing information. Before 1990 South Africans used televi sion news, magazines, radio and newspa pers as their primary sources of informa tion. Today people are bombarded with an assortment of news sources ranging from blogs on the internet to mobile news. According to internetworldstats.com, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) granted South Africa with her za in 1990. This has made information more readily available and obtainable in different media and people can now choose how they • • acquire their news. Due to the fact that there is a greater variety of media, people are exposed to different views. Graphi(:Candice Samuels from Hip Hope Media. 40 SMF People are thus able to be more critical Groepe explains that IPTV, a digital about the information they are being fed. television service delivered using internet Technology has also allowed information protocol , is a system new to South Africa. to become more accurate. People can now receive television via Cell phone technology, for example, technologies commonly used for computer provides for on-the-spot retrieval of infor networks and not the universal method of mation. broadcast and cable format. South Africa is bracing herself for a Naspers CEO Koos Bekker told SMF burst in media technology. According to that he has doubts about the technological southafrica.info , South African schools are viability of IPTV in South Africa. "The only regret is that we have fallen behind on digitalisation due to the Telkom monopoly... " joining a pilot project which will involve the "IPTV is a system of television broad use of cell phones as a learning instru casting that was launched in South Africa ment. and failed because of poor infrastructure," The eighteen-month project, called says Bekker. It took off in South Korea MobilED, is being run by the Meraka Insti and became a big success, but a different tute, in partnership with the University of dynamic exists over there, he added. Pretoria and Finland's Helsinki University These advancements are brave steps of Art and Design. towards world standards in technology. This enables learners to adapt to the However, the reality is that many South Af For individuals that cannot afford technological modifications happening ricans are not fortunate enough to afford a internet access, tabloids such as the Daily within society, while gaining educational pay channel, own a cell phone or have ac Sun and Son have become essential news benefits in the process. These children will cess to the internet. For that reason not all sources. eventually be well-equipped with the people are able to be as critical about their Groepe says the middle class has a necessary skills to access news in dif news feed as those within the economic patronising attitude towards tabloids. This, ferent technological modes. bracket that can access these media. he says, is regrettable, as these papers Along with these exciting developments According to the website markettree. are far more in tune with their readers. come setbacks we often overlook. As cO.za, up to 60% of all South African Loyal readers of the Daily Sun and Son do technology evolves, so should ac households own a cell phone. not originate from a culture where people cessibility to the modifications taking Groepe sees the advancements in the read newspapers religiously. For people place. However, the daunting reality is that media as a progressive step for South in the lower classes of society, tabloids in 2007, only 8% of South Africa's popula Africa. Yet this still poses great information like the Daily Sun and Son are a primary tion had access to the internet, according access barriers for technological advance information base. to World Wide Worx. ments. If there is not a market for cell I n order for the progression of tech Media24 CEO Francois Groepe ex phone technology, then its development nology within the media to happen, plains that South Africa is not what it was will inevitably be prolonged. He believes change should be embraced, says a couple of years ago in terms of media that once these changes commence, Groepe. The main forces in media are the and technology. According to Groepe, South African society will restructure into a people who assemble and produce the immense changes such as the digitali new state of technological innovation. information that is transmitted in dif sation of radio have already happened, Groepe says South African media are ferent modes. According to Groepe, with various South African radio stations innovative and growing fast. 'The only people such as journalists, who hold an being listed, particularly by foreign-based regret is that we have fallen behind on enormous responsibility, should embrace nationals, and Internet Protocol Television digitalisation due to the Telkom monopoly technology and maintain the highest levels (IPTV) growing fast. which has caused us to fall behind in of ethics and accountability. Because terms of internet and broadband penetra whatever the changes in format, the media tion." still have the duty to, as Groepe says, Bekker adds that private companies are "inform, educate, entertain and update desperately trying to reach world stan society". dards in terms of technology. This process is being delayed by red tape and regula tions from the Department of Communica tions. WHAT IS IPTV? However, the media is diverse and dy namic. It varies from broadcast to writing A digital television service to advertising. The days of one medium of brought to the viewer by information creating perceptions for technologies commonly used society are slowly coming to an end. for computer networks. SMF 41 • .ie :-urger'V'ir dieb"Orgers Die Burger was geassosieer met apartheid - en toe kom 1994. Die koerant moes herposisioneer vir die eise van 'n nuwe same/ewing - van 'n mondstuk vir 'n regering tot 'n onpartydige koerant vir 'n gemeenskap. Vania van der Heever het 'n bietjie gaan rondvra of mense met die stelling saamstem. ie Wes-Kaapse dagblad Die was daar 'n geringe afname onder bruin om vyf streekuitgawes met sy eie geur Burger is reeds generasies lank lesers. en prikkels elke aand saam te stel. Die Dvir baie huishoudings 'n bron Nfl 1994 het die rol van Die Burger soneringsplan is gemik op die Suid van inligting. Die Burger word deur verander. Dit wou wegkom van hul beeld Kaap, Boland, Noord-Skiereiland, Suid baie Afrikaanssprekendes ongeag van as 'n mondstuk van die ou regering. Skiereiland en die Metropool. Sy se Suid ras gelees. In die meeste winkels in Jacobus se: "As die berigte van die NP Kaap en die Boland se soneringsbeleid die Wes- en Oos-Kaap is die koerant era met vandag se mediastandaarde word reeds toegepas. die gunsteling op die nuusrakke. gemeet word, sou dit as haatspraak en Frieda Ie Roux, navorsingsbestuurder Dit is algemene kennis dat Die politieke opruiery beskou word." van Die Burger, se hulle doen moeite om Burger 'n mondstuk van die Nasionale nuus uit sekere gebiede waar daar baie Party (NP) was. Oor die jare het dit lesers is, aan te bied. wei van partyblad tot 'n onpartydige Die verandering is selfs in die koerant ontwikkel. personeel te sien. As 'n mens die Anthony Jacobus, 'n onderwyser koerant oopslaan en na die name van van Mitchells Plain, is 'n getroue leser verslaggewers en fotograwe kyk, is dit van Die Burger vir die afgelope 32 meer verteenwoordigend. Jongbloed jaar. Die Burger is deel van sy gesin meen die koerant probeer ook in Iyn met se leesmateriaal. "I n die verlede is net die wetlike voorskrifte bly. Die Burger stel 'n paar bladsye aan die bruinmense meer mense van kleur en vroue aan en afgestaan. Dit het verslag gedoen probeer hulle in diens hou. "Dit is 'n stryd oor nuusgebeure wat ons geraak het. om opgeleide produksiepersoneel te kry." Die Burger het 'n mark in die bruin Jongbloed se 50% van Die Burger gemeenskap gehad, omdat Afrikaans se hoofredaksie is mense van kleur. die moedertaal van baie van ons is," Daar is meer joernaliste van kleur as wit het hy gese. Jongbloed sa 50% van Die joernaliste in die nuuskantoor."Ons lewe Baie van die bruin lesers kan dus in 'n land waar dit noodsaaklik is dat met Afrikaans identifiseer. Sydney Burger se hoofredaksie is wanpraktyke reggestel word ." Mackenzie (76) van Bishop Lavis mense van kleur. Nog 'n fokuspunt vir die koerant is die koop elke dag die koerant. Hy was multimedia-nuusplatform. Die Burger het voorheen 'n ondersteuner van die 'n aanlyn-webtuiste waar nuusstories Nasionale Party en al is die party Volgens Zelda Jongbloed, eerste gesien kan word. "Sover ek weet, nie meer aan bewind nie, lees hy adjunkredakteur van Die Burger, Ie is die koerant se multimedia-afdeling steeds Die Burger. "Daar is nie 'n daar nog baie veranderinge voor vir meer gevorderd as ander koerante," ander koerant wat vir my die nuus die koerant. "Ons probeer tog om ons het sy gese. Die koerant se nuwe kan gee soos die koerant nie, ook aanbod gemeenskapsgerig te maak. "vryvloeimodel" gee lesers die nuus nie die televisie nie. Die koerant het Ons is ta ns besig met 'n aggressiewe op die webtuiste, in die koerant en nou baie verander oor die jare, maar bly plaaslike nuusstrategie wat ons sonering selfs op hul selfone. "Die koerant word die beste." Hy meen Die Burger is noem. Die doel van ons soneringsaksie is herontwerp om dit 'n vriendeliker, jonger onpartydig en hy hou daarvan . om die unieke verhouding wat Die Burger voorkoms te gee." Volgens Media24-statistiek met sy bestaande mark opgebou het, Le Roux beaam dit: "Die Burger van1999 tot 2007 is bruinmense die uit te bou tot sy voordeel en sodoende gaan beslis nie terugstaan vir enige grootste lesersgroep van Die Burger. sake te bemoeilik vir ons mededingers ander koerant wat die aanvaarding en In 1999 het die koerant 501 OOOlesers wat ons mark wil betree. Die uitdaging is omarming van nuwe tegnologie betref gehad. Van die getal was 55.3% om streek- of gebiedspesifiek te dink en nie. Ons glo die multimedia- platform bruin mense. Tussen 1999 en 2007 nie sone-gegenereerde kopie op te weeg is die enigste manier om die toekoms het Die Burger se lesers van 501 000 teen belangriker en nasionale nuus nie." suksesvol aan te pak en ons posisioneer lesers na 434 000 afgeneem. In 2007 Volgens Jongbloed behels die plan onsself ook so." 42 SMF • Fotos: Vania von der Heeve r " Na 1994 het die rol van Die Burger verander. " SMF 43 rfte Itrtist "r~ert"1 knvwn ~s th£ Itu~ience of professional media. Rick Sanchez, a presenter on news network CNN , introduced a plasma screen on set during his show, CNN Newsroom, less than three months ago. Sanchez uses the screen to receive instant feedback from a social networking and micro-blogging service known as Twitter. Essentially, the system works in the same way as people SMSing their thoughts and reactions to a show, except it happens much faster and the flow is considerably higher. However, Sanchez is not the only one using this innovative technology to create a more communal approach to news blurred". gathering and presentation. However, there are some in the media Locally, Nicholas Haralambous, the who believe that it is not a purely black and Gauteng general manager of social white affair. networking site Zoopy, has also been "I was at a concert and there were so using Twitter and other such services to many cellphones up in the air capturing his advantage. the moment. I think it is great that we now In a recent article in the Cape Argus, all carry around cameras in our pockets," Michael Morris revealed how Haralambous says Eric Kuhn, a new media consultant in covered the Million Man March by the United States. transforming himself into a "broadcaster Kuhn, who is also a contributor to cum-publisher that day, connecting with the Huffington Post, said in an email networks and news communities through interview: "The mainstream media outlet nearly a dozen applications - Mxit, that figures out how to best use these YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, email, Blogger images will benefit greatly, but grainy and WordPress, among others". cellphone images are not going to replace a professional photographer. Still images are powerful and can say a lot about a "g rai ny ee l/ phone particular moment." But the main impact thus far has been he phrase is bandied about in the images are not through instant video captured from the media on a daily basis: "Everyone public's phones. Initiatives such as iReport Twith a cellphone is now a journalist." going to replace on CNN and The Listening Post on AI From Kuala Lumpur to Washington to Jazeera use viewers' clips as the basis for Abu Dhabi , nearly everyone who has a a professiona l their shows. cell phone has a digital camera. And with These user-generated clips can the decrease in price of technologies photogra phe r." sometimes attract a massive audience, like video and still cameras, more and such as the one shot right here in South more people are able to shoot news as Africa. it happens. Long before a professional In an article in Britain's Guardian, journalist even gets to hear about it. So whilst citizen journalism can create Bobbie Johnson describes one of citizen Citizen journalism has created tension a finer mesh for the selection of news and journalism's greatest achievements, a in the media environment with some allow more "journalists" to cover more video clip entitled "Battle at Kruger Park". saying it is the way into the future and ground, the first thought going through An American tourist filmed an epic others disagreeing entirely. many editors' heads is "How good is it?" eight-and-a-half minute video of a pride of Recently, Dan Gillmor of Arizona There are those who doubt the quality hungry lions attacking a herd of buffalo. State University spoke at the Highway of this surging trend in journalism. Andrew Johnson writes, "It is so incredible that it Africa Conference 2008 held at Rhodes Keen writes in The Cult of the Amateur, "In is taking the internet by storm. Almost 10 University and said, "Citizen journalism today's self-broadcasting culture where million people have watched the epic scrap turns consumers into creators and takes amateurism is celebrated and anyone since he put it online in May". media from lecture to conversation with an opinion, however ill-informed, can When asked if citizen journalism something traditional media has not been publish a blog, post a video on YouTube, would ever work in print, Kuhn said, "That able to do for a long time". or change an entry on Wikipedia, the happens every day. A print reporter goes Gillmor's sentiments have already distinction between trained expert and to the scene and asks the citizens what had very visible effects in the world uninformed amateur becomes dangerously happened, and then writes the stOry based Photo : www.m.hu . konr4d on their reports. "Reporters use the public's quotes and descriptions. Television is about video footage, so now the citizens are sending in videos to news stations, adding to the coverage of an event." One critique levelled at citizen journalism is that its very nature involves abandoning the ideal of objectivity in journalism. This is because some of the material could come directly from activists in a certain field portraying a very limited view of the situation. These views were echoed by the vice-chancellor of Rhodes University, Saleem Badat, who was quoted by Morris as saying that a possible danger of citizen journalism is that it could just as easily "become a vehicle" for fundamentalist ideology, racism and However, in an attempt to counteract two problems of quality and objectivity, the iReport website contains a . informing their contributors how construct newsworthy stories. This ~----m rludes which elements to utilise and how contributors can increase the quality of the sound and images in their productions. Morris quotes Jovial Rantao, chairperson of the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF): "In the absence of basic journalistic practice, citizen journalism isn't worth much." Rantao added, "There are new sources, new platforms, but these exciting things will be useless if we don't practise proper journalism - truthfulness, honesty, balance and impartiality." So if these two practices, citizen journalism and professional journalism, are not going to eclipse each other, what is the way forward? Kuhn thinks there is a place for both: "A journalist is someone who can put context around the image, but if the citizen captures that image, all the more power to them!" And it seems, in the words of Bob Dylan, "that the times they are a-changing". A symbiotic relationship seems to be developing between the two approaches. The integration of citizen journalism material such as video and still images as well as commentary through various channels is being used to enrich the existing coverage of news. And at the other end of the spectrum, those practising citizen journalism seem to realise that if they are to survive in the media the credibility and quality of their products will need to improve. For members of the professional media, Morris has a strong message: "It's easy picking holes in citizen journalism. But it takes an effort of introspection, some humility and a dose of realism to recognise that there's a lot to be learned. Conceivably, the harder truth is that there is no longer a choice." \ \ \ \ \. \ \ ... 'U'Q\'(\.~\.O'(\. ,.\- " ..,! Five star printing on your doorstep! With our recent acquisition of Paarl Coldset, Paarl Media now offers ~-, an enhanced range of print services throughout the country. In addition to exceptional quality, personal service and fast turnaround our clients paar/media will benefit from an extensive national service network which offers where printing is personal unlimited distribution possibilities. P.O. Box 248, Poarl, 7620, South Africa www.poorlmedia.co.zo Tel +27 218703800 Fax +27 218721147 E-mail [email protected] gauteng paarlgravure paar/web paar/web paarlprint paarllabels paarlcoldset Rebuilding th Auol '" " ' - , ~ - "' " " " 'I 1 / r / 1 1/ f J: , " .... " " ' / " " ..- ..- " I I I: ...... - ...... ... .. ,~ ,,~ Jt,_ - ..- - " '- '-' - " .. " SMF ~8 1 / ,- / .. J r .... . J , " J 1'/ '1/ I'" I' 1/ 1/ e Advertoria ls and the future of the media's credibility How much of what you read in newspapers can be trusted? How much influence do advertisers have over what you read? Thania Gopal investigates the blurring line between editorial and "advertorial" content in the South African print media. "Imagine being whisked away to an chief of Creativity, a magazine specialis panies, like other corporate entities, need exotic island in the Zanzibar Archi ing in advertising and design, emphasis to make money to survive and thrive". pelago, free to laze on the golden es this relationship built on trust between In the past, a distinct divide existed beaches, swim in the clear blue Indian publications and their readers on the between editorial and advertising content. ocean and soak up the African sun while Christian Science Monitor website. He But this separation, commonly known as sipping the local brew.... " says publications which "allow marketers the "Chinese Wall", may be under threat. The journalist, breathlessly, tries to a stealthy foothold represent a destruc There is no denying the commercial capture the moment in increasingly lyrical tive, short-term approach that could cost pressures and stiff competition for adver prose. them loyalty and circulation". tising revenue facing the media industry. But just beneath the copy sits an at In an email interview with SMF, Dr According to the Newsroom Barometer tractive advertisement featuring "special Adrian Hadland, chief research specialist 2008, a study published by the World deals" to visit the beautiful islands of in the Democracy and Governance unit Editor's Forum, 42% of editors perceived Zanzibar. Coincidence? at the Human Science Research Council the main threat to their editorial indepen Most people open their newspapers (HSRC), says the increasing prevalence dence in the future as being related to and expect to find the truth . And nothing of advertising messages cloaked beneath their newspapers' financial dependence, but the truth. At least as far as editorial the veil of editorial copy is a disturbing whether on shareholders or advertisers. content is concerned. trend. Hadland is co-author of a study re The International Research and Readers expect journalists to maintain leased by the HSRC and the University of Exchanges Board (IREX) analyses the their independence from the advertising Witwatersrand (Wits) titled Advertising in media environment in over 20 countries. department and boldly shrug off any influ the News: Paid-For Content and the South According to the IREX website, total ad ence. While most readers understand the African Print Media. spend in South Africa , excluding self commercial imperatives behind advertis Hadland says South Africa is expe promotion , was R20.1 billion in 2006. ing , they also want advertisements to riencing a large increase in unmarked Of the R20.1 billion spent on advertis be clear and not portrayed as editorial paid-for content - that is editorial content ing, print holds the highest share at 40%. content so that they may choose what to that somebody has paid for in order for it This includes newspapers (28%) and read or discard. to appear. According to Hadland, the rea magazines (12%), and amounts to over Rogier van Bakel, former editor-in son for this increase is that "media com R8 billion. ----...------ "---~'/ : " ".;;L.Y --- ---...:: "J,.'_ ,I SMF 49 .__.JL-( -----'...l.-----_~_ _ __-1..--______!______lJII_/ _ . Even though revenue is derived from consumers that "they are reading an ad publication sales and advertising, IREX and not a news story". says cover prices tend to cover only A key area of research in Advertising production and printing while advertising in the News examines the use of signal funds the rest of the business. ling - "the practice of clearly marking Addressing a group of journalism advertising copy as 'Advertisement"'. students from Stellenbosch University, Labels previously used include "Special", features editor of South Africa's Financial "Advertorial", or "Commercial Feature". Mail, Sven Lunsche, says 85% of the The authors suggest that this practice publication's revenue comes from adver "has either disappeared or is too obscure tising. Referring to the comparatively low for readers to identify". price of the publication, Lunsche says Hadland says the lack of adequate the "most important thing is circulation, signalling undermines the integrity of not the cover price". Part of FMs strategy journalism. "It means readers can't trust is to keep the cover price low, to increase what they read and therefore damages circulation and therefore attraCt more magazines and newspapers as sources advertising. of rea: facts and information ... " The HSRC study contends that In an email interview, Dr Herman increasing economic pressures and Wasserman, Extraordinary Associate competition for advertising revenue has Professor at Stellenbosch University and resulted in publications searching for lecturer at Newcastle University in the new and innovative strategies to attract UK, says signposting or signalling to the more adverti sing. reader is often "deliberately vague or One of th ese strategies is to "develop made to resemble editorial copy in the and devise new forms of paid-for con rest of the pUblication." tent, including the use of sections and Wasserman believes the trespassing supplements that are targeted to attract of the "Chinese Wall" goes much further advertising and the packaging together than just "advertorials" masked as edito of editorial content and advertising mate rial copy. "Lazy journalists also take over rial for sale to advertisers". press releases meant to promote com Sometimes the adoption of unmarked mercial ventures under the smokescreen paid-for content as a strategy for revenue of 'news', or go on press junkets and growth may have the reverse effect. report uncritically" Leadership magazine discovered this the Media analysts agree that the blurring hard way when it was revealed in Parlia of editorial content and advertising copy ment that the SASC had paid over R 100 will ultimately obliterate the Integrity of 000 for their CEO, Da li Mpofu, to grace journalism. "When you push it too far, the cover, according to Anton Harber, you can damage the credibility of your P"ofessor of Journalism at Wits Univer product and lose far more in the long sity on his website TheHarbinger.co.za. run than the income gained from a few Harber says Leadership is not the only adverts or features," says Harber. influential publication to "stoop this low". Wasserman says the long-term im "Every day you can open newspapers pact will be a "loss of trust in journalists, and magazines which have features, commercialisation of the news and the supplements and surveys which are erosion of news values in favour of com paid for - and this fact is either heavily mercial imperatives". disguised or completely hidden." The long-term consequences will The boundaries between advertis not only result in the loss of public trust ing and journalism "have steadily been and journalistic integrity but also create getting fuzzier," says Peter Hart, media immense difficulty for the free media analyst at Fairness and Accuracy in Re to "perform its role as a vital cog in the porting (FAIR) on the Christian Science wheel of democracy," says Hadland Monitor website. "It's not clear anymore "How can the media hold government which is exactly what advertisers want." accountable if nobody trusts it or reads Corporate marketing analyst and for it?" he asks. mer head of strategic planning and public As a self-regulating body, what affairs for BMW South Africa, Chris can the media industry do to revive its Moerdyk, refers to the increasing use of reputation as the ambassadors of truth "blackmail advertising" on the Sizcom and prevent itself from being viewed as munity website. He claims that "reputable another marketing stooge? mass media" are using paid-for advertori Press Ombudsman, Joe Thloloe, als, which are "advertisements disguised said in a question and answer session as editorial content" without warning with Stellenbosch University journalism l students that his mandate extends only completely lose its promotional power, as far as editorial content is concerned. it would be well advised to start looking C'tJ He says guidelines regarding advertising at ways of curtailing practices that are ..... content should be governed internally by slowly but surely eating away at their "tS C1I every publication and complaints regard credibility." ing advertising should be directed to the Wasserman says the heavy reliance e Advertising Standards Authority of South on advertising also has a more insidious Africa (ASASA). negative effect - the press intentionally On the other hand, marketing special seek out "Iucrative audiences" that will at ist Moerdyk explains on Bizcommunity. tract more attention from advertisers. The com that ASASA has no jurisdiction over result is "the poor and the marginalised ~ editorial matter in the media and can do not get heard in the media". 0 only act against "misleading, offensive or The conflict between editorial interests ~ unsubstantive advertising". and advertising influence is an age-old "'---... Clearly, there appears to be a grey dilemma that has once again reared its area in the ethical guidelines that does ugly head as a result of prevailing market not account for the increasing trend of conditions. blurring advertorial and editorial content, According to Hadland, the media or "advertising-in-drag", as Harber dubs needs to respond with tighter self-regula it. This oversight leaves the backdoor tion and work towards improving the qual open should any profit-driven publisher ity and integrity of the press. Dario Milo, want to milk the "advertising cash cow" partner at Webber Wentzel Attorneys and escape relatively unscathed. and author of Defamation and Freedom of Bearing testimony to this loophole, Speech, writes in the Sunday Times that in the seven years since records were the print media wield significant power computerised at ASASA, Advertising in the News claims just one contraven tion has been reported. _ It is imperative, even if the According to Hadland, ASASA will only investigate wall is full of holes and in if a formal complaint is need of repair _ lodged. And nobody has com plained. This indicates that con sumers of print media may not recognise and should be accountable for their ac paid-for content or fully understand the tions. implications. The South African National Editors Wasserman feels strongly that not Forum recently established a sub-com enough is being done in managing paid mittee to work on recommendations for for content. He says clear guidelines the industry. Hadland says, "There is a should be given to publications. In addi sense, among editors especially, that this tion, "readers should also be empowered is a problem that needs to be addressed" to read critically, to be able to distinguish Failure of the media industry to act between paid-for content and ordinary decisively in policing itself according news". to more stringent guidelines may lend Hadland believes that paid-for con credibility to public calls for someone to tent needs to be signalled "loudly and "guard the guardian". clearly". He says "content masquerading Long before the battle for advertising as journalistically-generated content", proceeds and the skirmishes over circula which is really paid for by a commercial tion figures, quality journalism is what client, needs to be deciared.According to defined the industry. Hadland believes Hadland, the public doesn't mind paid-for the cornerstones of excellent journalism content and appreciates the necessity such as "honesty, integrity and quality will of having it, but "this doesn't absolve the always shine through, win readers and media from declaring (hidden) interests". build titles". Aside from misleading consumers, As far as the Chinese Wall is con Moerdyk believes these practices are cerned, he is adamant that there should harmful to the profession in the long be a clear divide between editorial and run. "The time is coming where more advertising content. "It is imperative, even and more advertising will be disguised if the wall is full of holes and in need of and unless the mass media wants to repair" . ..,( >. ~ ------~ HEA RD IN THE MEDIA. -dI IDem 8mil ." b ~ Futu r e crY ~~ BOOK I · U. () I'\o~ () ' - '( ) :"o. S ~ Entrepr en eurs IMMON ] onathanBallPublishers 'jllltE TH,\ It H DVUt.. Die verhouding tussen die media en politici se baie van die welsyn van die politieke stelsel in 'n land. Dit is daarom dat die spanning in die verhouding dikwels baie aandag geniet. In Suid-Afrika het hierdie verhouding oor die a fgelope paar dekades ook aansienlik wipplank gery. roLljlililffit·'iiifiU1'Gjlhet gaan kyk hoe die verhouding verander het en of die media steeds regeringskoothond speel en of dit deesdae eerder 'n goeie waghond is. s die uitvoerende hoofbeampte en bande met die regerende Nasionale Party dat daar wei kritiese media soos die Vrye D. die nuushoof van die SABe binne hopeloos te nou was, en hulle dus nie hul Weekblad gedurende apartheid bestaan Ifoj ieselfde week afgedank word, rol as staatswaghond kon vervul nie. he!. wonder 'n mens of die media werklik so Retief S8 die Afrikaanse media was Joubert meen dit Iyk op die oog af of polities onafhanklik is as wat veronderstel tot en met die vroee 1990's so onkrities die oorgrote meerderheid van die media word. Veral as 'n deel van die krisis tot teenoor die regering dat dit nie behoorlik onkrities was, omdat feitlik net Afrikaanse die bestuurslede se politieke verbintenis as die sogenaamde "fourth estate" kon media deur die destydse apartheidsrege aan die regerende party toegeskryf kan funksioneer nie. Hy S8 Die Burger is as ring as waardig aanvaar is. Hy verwys word. die "a mptelike mondstuk" van die rege daarom na die Afrikaanse media as "die Franz Kruger, joernalis en dosent aan ring beskou en meen die koerant kon dus media van die tyd" , aangesien dit meer die Universiteit van die Witwatersrand, glad nie onafhanklik en objektief optree amptelike erkenning van die owerheid S8 in sy boek Black, White and Grey: nie. geniet he!. "Oil is daarom maklik om Ie Ethics in South African Journalism oor "Wanneer president P.W. Botha veralgemeen, maar daar moet eers na media-etiek dat enige regering foute byvoorbeeld nie van 'n sekere deel van al die feite gekyk word" se hy. Joubert maak, en dat joernaliste dit nag altyd as die nuus op SAUK-televisie gehou het noem dat selfs Die Burger by tye soos die 'n belangrike funksie beskou am ten aile nie, het hy bloot die telefoon opgetel en Sharpeville-opstand krities teenoor die tye 'n arendsoog oop te hou vir wanneer 'n korreksie of weglating daarvan in die regering was. hulle fouteer. volgende bulletins geeis," skryf hy in sy Volgens hom het die apartheidsrege Volgens Johan Retief, joernalis en boek. ring nie noodwendig die media opsetlik media-konsultant, was die Suid-Afrikaan Jan-Jan Joubert, joernalis en politieke as propagandameganisme gebruik nie. se media, veral die Afrikaanse pers, nie redakteur van Die Burger, se 'n mens Hoewel hy erken dat hulle die nasionale altyd op die uitkyk vir die regering se moenie veralgemeen wanneer jy na die uitsaa ier doelbewus gebruik het, het die foute gedurende apartheid nie. Hy skryf destydse Afrikaanse media verwys nie. meerderheid van die apartheidsjoerna in sy boek Media Ethics An Introduction to Hy stem nie heeltemal met Retief saam listiek bloot met politici "saamgestem". Responsible Journalism dat die media se nie en verduidelik in 'n telefoononderhoud Hy S8 die regering het nie noodwendig 54 SMF opsetlik die media gebruik nie, maar eerder toevallig die regering "nagepraat". Die SASC moet volgens Joubert vandag nog van ander media onderskei word. "Omdat hulle die openbare uit saaier is, is hulle steeds tot 'n mate napraters van die politieke mag. Die SABC is geensins objektief nie. Hul dekking van verkiesings is byvoorbeeld skandelik." Dr Karen Smith, politieke wetenskap dosent aan die Universiteit van Stellen bosch, se in 'n e-pos onderhoud dat die media beslis vandag nog deur politici gebruik word om hul persoonlike agendas te propageer. Sy skryf die ongesonde verhouding toe aan die media se afhank likheid van regeringsbronne, aangesien baie van die media se inkomste deur advertensies van die staat en politieke instellings gegenereer word. "Die verhouding is baie keer een van /'1/ scratch your back ... Ons sien ook idee geskep dat die media kop in een tussen die media en politici gewerk word. dat politieke partye baie keer die me mus met politieke figure is wat volgens Volgens haar is dit belangrik om 'n balans dia gebruik om politieke gevegte in die hulle Zuma probeer frame het." Smith se tussen die media se ral as staatswag openbaar te voer soos byvoorbeeld die dit veroorsaak dat die media nie meer hond en vyand van die regering, soos spioenasie-sage in Kaapstad," se sy. as 'n "objektiewe, verantwoordelike baie politici dit beskou, te kry. "Mens wil Joubert is egter meer optimisties oar rolspeler" beskou word nie. nie he dat die media die staat se mond die huidige stand van sake. "Natuurlik stuk moet wees nie, maar terselfdertyd is praat Helen Zille nie met ons omdat sy J11ru1!l:m~~ die huidige, ongemaklike verhouding ook van 6ns hou nie, maar eerder omdat sy ~~~G{Ptu nie ideaal nie." wil he kiesers moet van haar hou. Die 'n Mens kan redeneer dat die media media is 'n spreekbuis en dus gebruik ~urtIlilIT?~ landskap in Suid-Afrika meestal ten politici wei die media op 'n manier, maar ~fIf@~~ goede verander met die koms van solank politici nie die verslaggewing demokratisering. Smith meen die grootste be'lnvloed nie, is dit nie die einde van die ~ verandering in die verhouding tussen die wereld nie." Vol gens hom kan dit nie as GiJtb.LD c!ID fIf@ ~~ media en politici is beslis "meer pers die prapagering van politici se persoon vryheid". Joubert se die verhouding is ~~~IJi1hblZ7 like agendas gekwalifiseer word nie, vandag meer gesond as in die verlede en maar is dit eerder bloot die "uitdra van meen dat 'n mens daarmee tevrede kan stellings van mense". In 'n demokratiese Joubert stem saam dat verslaggewing wees. "Die wet is baie land word die onafhanklikheid van die oor Zuma nie altyd na wense is nie en sterk en die media is totaal vry van media dikwels as 'n vereiste vir 'n sukses meen dat veral die Engelse media hier enige beperking. Die volle samelewing beskou. Hierdie onaf aan skuldig is. Hy se hulle het Zuma skul verhouding tussen hanklikheid kan prakties gemeet word dig bevind voordat die hof 'n uitspraak die media en die aan die objektiwiteit waarmee joernaliste gelewer het. "Die Engelse media het die politiek is wac 6ns verslag doen. kant van die verkragtingslagoffer gekies wil he dit moet "Balans" is volgens Joubert 'n beter en dit is baie gevaarlik." wees" beskrywing van die media se taak . Hy se Die media speel volgens die hui dit is bitter moeilik om werklik objektief te dige regering ook 'n belangrike rol in wees, terwyl gebalanseerde verslagge die heropbou en ontwikkeling van die wing op 'n balans tussen verskillende samelewing in Suid-Afrika. Kruger branne dui. noem dat Essop Pahad, destydse Smith beklemtoon die verantwoorde adjunkminister in die presidensie, in likheid wat elke dag op joernaliste se 2001 die media gekritiseer het om skouers rus. Sy meen vandag se media dat hulle na sy mening te negatief is het 'n plig teenoor die publiek "om objek en dus nie tot die vooruitgang van die ti ef verslag te doen oor sake, insl uitend samelewing bydra nie. Smith beaam politieke kwessies, wat vir die publiek va n dat die media dalk "vandag te kri belang is". ties teenoor die staat" is en se "Ek dink nie die Suid-Afrikaanse dit kan die proses van nasie media is altyd heeltemal onpartydig bou negatief belnvloed. nie," se Smith. Sy erken dat sy nie te Sy meen daar kan van al optimisties is oor die manier waarop bei kante aan die huidige die media vandag verslag doen nie en verhouding verwys na die dekking van die Jacob Zuma-hofsake as voorbeeld . "Die feit dat die media duidelik eensydig en nie objektief was nie, het op baie mense die teenoorgestelde effek gehad. Dit het di e SMF 55 I . , , r"J. --" DUST DEVIL: Extremely dry conditions plague a maize farm in Delmas, Mpumalanga Pholo : Deonn Vivier /Beeld Burning Issue: a changing climate, a changing media Imoge: www.sxc.hu . Lynne Loncosler Climate change is no lo nger a distant blip on the public radar but a looming reality featuring In new::, headlines, political debates, and mainstream films. As global warming and climate change pose more Immediate threats, the media have had to adapt their coverage to capture the scientific and social implications of a worldwide challenge. Lezette Enge lbrecht explores how a changing environment is changing the media. " T he science is clear. Climate tone in many South African newspapers tal reporter at Die Burger, said in an email change is happening. The impact in the past decade, with reports of it being interview that many journalists' scientific is real. The time to act is now. " "too early" to draw conclusions from "pre knowledge was relatively limited in the These four short sentences from United liminary" and "speculative" evidence. past, making it difficult for them to properly Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Climate change refers to significant assess the various claims being made. the Bali convention last year said it all. Yet, changes in systems like the atmosphere, The journalistic principle of objectivity media coverage of climate change has ocean circulation and weather patterns also resulted in early attempts to "get the not been as pithy or precise, for various over a prolonged period of time. These other side", by including alternative expla reasons. changes can result from natural causes, nations for global warming and arguments Earlier reporting on global warming and but there has been growing concern over from climate denialists. "Too much atten climate change was marked by a degree the impact of human activities, such as tion was given for a long time to climate of caution, as journalists wavered between burning fossil fuels, on the state of the sceptics in the name of greater balance," raising the alarm and sounding a false climate. As debates surrounding the sever says Bonthuys. "This was in relation to evi one. A 1999 Time magazine article speaks ity of this influence raged , the media were dence from the large group of mainstream about "the potential perils of climate challenged with reporting on widely diver scientists about global warming." Fiona change", "spotty temperature records" and gent opinions and findings from a variety of Macleod, an environmental consultant for "nagging doubts". It echoes the hesitant specialists. Jorisna Bonthuys, environ men theMail&Guardian. said in a telephonic 56 SMF interview that reporting on climate change the spotlight. Macleod, who is the editor of is challenging because it is technical in several lifestyle publications in the Home Talking temperature: nature and can seem boring. As Celia Grown Magazines group, says reader Global warming: Brayfield wrote in the London Times in surveys show that people are interested in An average increase 2000: "Climate change is a subject that will eco-friendly lifestyles. Bonthuys feels this in the tempera ..... not reduce to three bullet-points and a neat is a positive development, as "changes s:: ture of the earth's Q) solution." to the status quo will only happen once atmosphere, which people seriously adapt their consumption can result from both es:: ••• and behaviour patterns." natural and human o Greater and more compelling scientific factors. Commonly used to refer .....J-I The green age cometh evidence has also contributed to increased to the warming that occurs due to > Dramatic weather events like Hurricane coverage of climate issues. In November human emissions of greenhouse s:: Katrina and decisive scientific reports have last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on gases, which can lead to changes ~ thrust climate issues into the popular con Climate Change, an international body of in global climate patterns. sciousness, with related news items ap top scientists, released the Fourth pearing more frequently in the media. "Sto Assessment Report on Climate Change. The greenhouse effect: The ries on climate change are now making The report, released by UN Secretary build-up and trapping of green front pages and lead headlines whereas a General Ban Ki-moon in Valencia, Spain, house gases like carbon dioxide few years ago they weren't always taken stated that warming of the climate was in the earth's atmosphere. As heat seriously by many readers and editors, " "unequivocal" and warned that continued radiates from the earth towards says Bonthuys. David Parry-Davies, editor greenhouse gas emissions at current space, some of it is absorbed by of the information and networking site En levels would induce many changes in the greenhouse gases. This heat is viropaedia, said in a telephonic interview global climate system. then redirected back to the earth's that AI Gore's 2006 documentary film, An surface, resulting in an increase in Inconvenient Truth, was pivotal in raising "Climate change has moved to temperature. public awareness about climate change. the top of the world's political "Before that it was seen as an alarmist Climate Change: Any significant 'greeny' issue," says Parry-Davies. agenda." changes in measures of climate As the realities surrounding climate (such as temperature or precipita change become more imminent, a growing Widespread scientific consensus that tion) occurring for an extended sense of urgency has arisen regarding the humans are causing increased warming period of time. Causes include earth 's resources. has resulted in a media focus on taking natural factors such as changes "There is a greater level of eco action. "There is definitely a strong move in the sun's temperature, ocean anxiety, " says Macleod. "News reporting towards providing people with solutions," circulation, or human activity that in newspapers and television make it clear says Macleod. Yolandi Groenewald, envi affects the atmosphere or land that the planet is in trouble and ordinary ronmental reporter at the Mail&Guardian, surface - burning of fossil fuels or people want to know what they can do." advocates a mUlti-pronged approach. "We deforestation, for example. Recent concerns about food, water and have to give the scientific facts, the human Source: http://www.e pa. gov /climat energy shortages have also put renew tragedies that occur as a result of climate echange/glossary.html able energies and methods of saving in change and tips on how to save energy," Image: www.lxchu - fl6vio Tokemofo THE RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT: Tourists are ferried on a raft across the Taeng River in Thailand, where rising sea levels and drought are iust some of the effects of climate change. Greenpeace reports that losses from floods, storms and droughts have cost the country over R16 billion between 1989 and 2002. Photo : Elise Tempelhoff /Beeld SMF 57 she said in an email interview, social developments arise, Macleod says Recently, there has been a shift from journalists will still play an informative role, reporting on more immediate weather but if efforts at addressing climate change related incidents to longer-term social, are unsuccessful, there will also be more economic and political impacts, "Climate reporting on consequent disasters and change has moved to the top of the world's weather changes, political agenda," says Groenewald, "It has Bonthuys, who received a Mondi award become more than just an environmental for her reporting on the build-up to the Bali topic," convention, would like to see correspon Bonthuys agrees, citing the fact that dents being sent directly to report on big climate change is now being discussed at international climate conferences, "Due to high-level forums such as the UN Security financial constraints, almost all newspa Council and G8 nation summits, pers depend on news agencies like Sapa Consequently, business and finance and Reuters for their coverage of these sectors are also taking note of environ kinds of events, Agency stories often have mental concerns , which is reflected in busi a pre-determined European angle, and fail ness pages and supplements focused on to provide local context" ways industries and consumers can adapt A lack of localised content may be why to climate change, environmental In some cases, the liThe issues are so huge it's journalism is not message is less about as much of a force like standing at the base of a curbing consumption in the country as in and more about imple mountain. The message needs some overseas me menting preventative to change." dia, "It seems South GLOBAL WARNING: AI Gore's 2006 documen policies, In recent Africans are more tary thrust global warming and climate change years, the implications of climate change interested in having politics and sleaze into the public spotlight. for developing countries have gained on their front pages than environmental Poster: www.dimatecri sis .com increased media attention, Africa is one of stories," says Groenewald, like standing at the base of a mountain, the regions that will be severely affected Another challenge in reporting on The message needs to change," in terms of resources, food availability and climate change is the perceived lack of im Groenewald admits that the media can disease, but is poorly equipped to deal with mediacy, "If you tell people that something sometimes over-dramatise stories to make these challenges, is going to affect them in 20 or 10 years, or climate change more sensational. "It is crit "There is a need to inform people that even one year, it's not that easy for them to ical to report factually, We have to educate it will be the poorest of the poor who will absorb," says Macleod, Parry-Davies feels South Africans not only about the effects of be first and hardest hit by climate change," the problem is not a lack of information climate change, but about the players, the says Parry-Davies, but a lack of will. He argues that the public science and what the future holds, as well have until very recently avoided looking at as changing our citizens' lifestyles." ••• environmental issues because the media In a telephonic interview, John Yeld, have painted a doom and gloom scenario, environmental writer for the Cape Argus, The day after tomorrow "People are failing to act for two said the print media will continue to play an Ban Ki-moon has described climate reasons: a feeling of helplessness because important role, "I think for a fair number of change as "the defining challenge of our they are being bombarded with information people it is their major, and in some cases age", and the media will have to keep that is not empowering , and the scale of only, source of information about climate adapting as future scientific, political and the problem, The issues are so huge it's change," Upon entering a decade in which climate change predictions are set to be come realities , the media face a challenge similar to that confronting the political lead ers, policy makers and citizens it informs, It will require changed messages, changed mindsets, and changed methods of living, A challenge succinctly captured by H,G, Wells in A mind at the end of its tether. "Adapt or perish, now as ever, is Nature's inexplorable imperative," Sources: 'How hot will it get?' - James Trefil (1999) Time. 'Global warming is a global problem' - Celia Brayfield (2000) The Times (London), published in Cape Times. 'Weather's convoluted mix makes it hard to predict' - El liot Sylvester (2000) Saturday Star. 'East Cape faces huge threat from greenhouse gas effects' ICE BREAKER: Melting ice in Ontario, Canada. The IPCC stated in their Fourth Assessment Report Guy Rogers (2002) The Herald that global warming is highly likely to couse glaciers and ice sheets to recede, which will affect (Eastern Province). surrounding ecosystems. Photo : www,sxchu . Maorlen De Wispelaore 58 SMF DO YOU L r VE BY COdE? ARE YOU A N iNtERNEt ~UNKY? DO dAtABA S E S A:tld S E R vER S tURN YOU ON? Do you generally consider yourself an uber geek? Is your approach to bugs 'bring it on'? Do you know your way around XHTML, HTML, DHTML, CSS Element styling and JavaScript? Do you enJoy interacting with ambitious, committed and open-minded people? If you answer yes to all these questions and are an innovative, nimble person who gets a kick out of working with cutting-edge technology like advanced AJAX web development, .Net 3.x technologies, C#, ASP .Net, SQL 2008 & Silverlight, then we want you l This is how we operate As South Africa's leading internet business, we boast three of SA's top ten sites within our stable and more than 2.2 million South Africans on our network [44% of SA's online audience). Passionate about the Internet and how it enables interaction between businesses, brands and browsers, we strive for innovation and are focused on developing and implementing technology that adds true value to the lives of SA's online audience. We believe in great results and great rewards. Our large development team works closely with businesses on building awesome, innovative products. But at our core, we are a bunch of geeks who love to learn and throw ideas around. and who enjoy a good game of Counter-Strike or Warcraft when the occasion arises .. This is what our system requires Passionate, committed . net Developers from junior to senior experience levels. Do you crack this • BSc or BTech degree • Good understanding of Computer Science principles, especially OOP, SOA & distributed programming • At least 12-months . net, C# and asp. net experience • Experience in web application development • Experience in stored procedures and MS SQL server • Client side experience in HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc. • Experience in XML-r elated technologies [SOAP, WSE, XSD, etc) Nice add-ons • Linux and PHP skills • MySQL • Previous experience on large internet sites and in an ISP environment • Native programming experience [C, C++, Delphi, etc.) • Advanced skills in Oracle • Middleware experience, COM+, Enterprise Services • Solid VS 2005 experience. Have we captured your attention and whet your appetite? Then please show us you are keen to join our highly successful and innovative environment by [email protected] Op 31 Maart 2008 moes Suid-Afrika afskeid neem van die 50/50, wat hulle vir 24 jaar betower het. Wat was die program se wenresep om die wereld se langste lopende omgewingsprogram te word? Gaan die nuwe 50/50 die paal haal? skryf oor die verlede en toekoms van Suid-Afrika se gunsteling omgewingsprogram. 60 SMF Bo: DIE NUWE GRAFIKA van 50/ 50, 5005 die, is ontwerp deur Core - Design Essence, 'n multi dissiplinere animasie en ontwerp studio. The media are your eyes and ears on the world. Media freedom guarantees yo ur right to know w hat's going on in your co untry, and participate fu ll y in the decis ions affecting you. Our history once co ntrolled what we saw and heard. We cou ld not know, and did not participate. Let us never forget w here we ca me from and let's ce lebrate where we are going . Remember So uth African Press Freed om Day - October 19. SirkU!asie kortste \(ort, korter I KWO/iteit KORTVERHALE Andre Ie Roux Corlia Fourie Willemien Brummer Hennie Aucamp Chris van der Merwe Folo: SARIE/lnge Prins Folo: rooi rose Foto: Simone S,holtz Foto: Die Burger/Edrea (Ioele Folo: Verskuf rydag, en jy het pas by die huis behoeftes met die jare verander het, meen "Ek probeer om so 'n groot aangekom na 'n moordende hy nie lesers se behoefte aan spesifiek verskeidenheid as moontlik goeie verhale V week op kantoor. Jy plof op die kortverhale Iyk veel anders as tien jaar te plaas - ter wille van ons lesers, sowel rusbank met jou gunsteling Afrikaanse gelede nie. as Afrikaanse skrywers. Ons aanvaar tydskrif, skeur gulsig die plastiek af, Di e lesers wat graag kortverhale lees verhale van gevestigde skrywers sowel as asem vir 'n behaaglike oomblik die (tydskrifverhale), sal dit bly lees en sal dit beginners. Soms het beginners 'n voordeel nuutheid van di e papier in en blaai dan steeds in 'n tydskrif so os SARIE verwag, omdat hul stories 'vars' is," meen Fourie. vinnig tot by jou gunsteling gedeelte S8 hy . "Ek dink nie ons 'wen' juis lesers vir Die meerderheid verhale wat vir - die kortverhaalafdeling . Net sod at jy die Afrikaanse kortverhaal nie. Dis bloot 'n publikasie ontvang word, is egter te swak teleurgesteld na die enigste twee bladsye diens aan die leser." om uiteindelik in die tydskrifte opgeneem met kortverhale in die tydskrif kan staar. te word. SARIE publiseer meestal verhale As die toneeltjie bekend klink, stem jy wat "op aanvraag" geskryf is , terwyl dalk saam met die bekroonde Afrikaanse "Oorsese tydskrift.e Huisgenoot en rooi rose ongeveer 40 kortverhaalskrywer, Hennie Aucamp, bydraes per maa nd uit verskillende oarde wat onlangs in die Saterdagbylae van plaas al vir jare min ontvang . Die Burger, BY, gewonder het waar die Volgens Van Zyl is ongeveer 10% van Afrikaanse kortverhaal heen is. of geen verhale nie. hierdie bydraes publiseerbaar. Aucamp skryf onder meer: "Die natuur like tuiste vir verhale is tyd skrifte, maar tyd Nuwe lewe skrifte het met die jare promosietydskrifte Dalk is die Ook BY, Die Burger se bylae op geword wat vere voel vir die geesteslewe Saterdae, het 'n inisiatief van stapel van 'n groep." En hy vervolg: "Waar, wit hedendaagse mens gestuur om die kortverhaal te laat ek luid vra, is 'die sneeu van voorverlede herleef. Willemien Bru mmer, self 'n jaar'? Waar is Die Huisgenoot wat Jan meer visueel kortverhaalskrywer, staan aan die stuur van Melle, Leipoldt, Elise Muller, J.F.W. van sake. Haar kortverhaalbundel, Die dag Grosskopf vir ons gebring he!? Waar die toe ek my hare losgemaak he!, het in Julie Sarie Marais wat ons aan Nadine Gordimer ingestel?" vanjaar by Human & Rousseau verskyn. voorgestel het in 'n puik vertaling deur "Die hoofoog merk by KortBY is juis om Fred Ie Roux? " 'n Nuwe neiging by SARIE is om kort weer 'n belangstell ing in kortverhale te Is sy retoriese vra ag geldig? Wat S8 die verhale van bekende persoonlikhede, soos ontketen en skrywers aan te moedig om tydskrifte oor die stand van die Afrikaanse sepie-akteurs, te gebruik. Vol gens Le Roux hulle weer tot hierdie verhaa lvorm te wend. kortverhaal? is dit 'n vorm van bemarking . Omdat BY op meer intellektuele pitkos ge Volgens Cecilia van Zyl , kortver "Ons probeer SA RIE verkoop. Beken mik is, het ons gedink dit sou iets wees wat haalkeurder van Huisgenoot, is die grootste des verkoop eenvoudig beter as onbeken ons lesers sou waa rdeer - en tot dusver kry rede vir die plaas van minder kortverhale des, en die kopers bepaal die inhoud van ons heel goeie terugvoer," 58 Brummer. die gebrek aan ruimte in die tyd skrif. Corlia die tydskrif," meen Le Rou x. Ook Aucamp dink daar is "tekens van Fourie van rooi rose stem saam - sy meen Hy voeg egter by dat SARIE pro beer om ontwaking" - hy meen die publiek het 'n dat hoer koste die pia as van meer verhale 'n gebalanseerde mengsel van gevestigde behoefte aan 'n nuwe tydskrif wc)( "soos belemmer. en onbekende skrywers 'n geleentheid tot van ouds" ruimhartig verhale aan sy lesers "Omdat drukkoste sowel as papier die publikasie te gee. bied. afgelope tien Jaar so hoog geword het, is Van Zyl reken Huisgenoot-Iesers se Nou is die vraag Sal die sirkulasiesy daar minder plek vir verhale. Daarom gee voorkeure het "definitief' verander "soos fers met hom saamstem? ek dikwels voorkeur aan korter verhale wat hul smaak in alles, van modes tot hoewel ons ook 'langer' verhale aanvaar. kos verander het, en steeds verander". Bronne: Aucamp, H. Kortverhale: Waar 'n Paar lesers het wei al daaroor gekla," S8 Huisgenoot pro beer om die tydskrifinhoud is die "sneeu van voorverlede jaar"? BY, Fourie. "kontempor8r" te hou om s6 die lesers se bylae by Die Burger, 12 April 2008, p.13 . Sy bied neigings in die oorsese tydskrif behoeftes te bevredig, se sy. mark as 'n moontlike rede vir die tendens Prof Chris van der Merwe van die aan. Afrikaanse Afdeling by die Skool vir Tale Wille mien Briimmer "Oorsese tydskrifte plaas al jare lank en Letterkundes aan die Universiteit van min of geen verhale nie. Dalk is die he Kaapstad, benadruk dat tydskrifte wei se raad aan dendaagse mens meer visueel ingestel?" 'n belangrike rol in die uitbou van die kortverhaalskrywers: kortverhaalgenre te speel he!. Van der Nuwe voorkeure Merwe S8 aan SMF die belangstelling wat Skryf waaroor jy weet en delf Andre Ie Roux, eindredakteur en EKM. Dido se reeks "Emma" in Die Burger dieper as die oppervlak. kortverhaalkeurder va n SARIE, voeg by dat gewek het, is "'n teken dat daar wei 'n plek lesers se voorkeure oor die Jare verander vir literere skrywers in die media is". Wanneer jou verhaal klaar he!. "Die ideaal is dat dit 'n skrywer sal wees is, laat Ie dit vir 'n week en Ruimte in tydskrifte kos al hoe meer wat die fynproewer-Ieser sowel as die leek bekyk dit weer krities. geld , S8 hy. "As ons k~n, sou ons tien ver bevredig - skrywers soos Dido, en vroeer Verhaalstruktuur is uiters hale in elke uitgawe wou publiseer. Dit is Eli se Muller, MER. of Boerneef - ek dink belangrik en verg baie egter nie prakties moontlik nie. En hoewel ook aan Jan Spies," S8 Van der Merwe. oefening en leeswerk om daar altyd 'n goeie groep lesers sal wees Van Zyl S8 'n gesinstydskrif so os Huis onder die knie te kry. wat kortverhale in enige tydskrif verkies, is genoot bied nuwe skrywers die geleentheid kortverhale ongelukkig nie goeie verkopers om hul verhale te publiseer en die vertroue Vertrou jou intulsie. nie." om moontlik hul hand aan ander genres Volgens Le Roux suig kortverhaalbun soos romans te waag. dels in die boekbedryf nes poesie aan die Volgens Fourie is haar ervaring en QJ H 'I agterspeen wanneer dit met romans moet beleid by rooi rose om goeie, verstaanbare kompeteer. kortverhale te publiseer wat "liter8re en KORTVERHALE Hoewel Le Roux erken dat lesers se ontspanningsverhale insluit". SMF 65 " o 0 .' ~, ' , Granko : Done el Molgo\ 66 SMF "Teater van die gedagte" se swanesang ? Dekades voor die televisiesepie sy aanslag op oud en jonk gemaak het, was daar 'n medium wat luisteraars gaande gehad het. Kenners se die medium het 'n knou gekry met die koms van televisie en nog meer met die internet. Sven Hugo het gaan ondersoek instel om te kyk - en te luister - na die huidige stand van radioverhale en of die medium 'n toekomstige plek in die ewige veranderende medialandskap het. adioverh ale of radiodramas het lank ooms en ta nnies - en die Rjonger geslag volgens kenners - vermaak met verhale soos Wolwedans geskryf deur Leon van Nierop. produk skep wat die drama in die gedagte Voor verslaafdes hulself aand na van die luisteraar gestalte laat kry." aand aan die stoel begin vasboei het "Jy werk net in klank, dus moet jy vir die nuutste intriges van Egoli - een klankprentjies skryf en skep sod at die van Suid-Afrika se gunsteling sepies, luisteraars dit kan sien," se Van Nierop. het onsigbare karakters gehore se Luyt se radioverhale staan ook bekend verbeeldings geprikkel. Die enigste as "teater van die gedagte". Sy se verskil : luisteraars het self besluit hoe hul radiodramas vergoed vir die gebrek aan gunsteling karakters en hul omgewing visuele stimulasie deur klank te gebruik Iyk. Anders as vandag waar gesoute om omgewing en atmosfeer te skep. sepievervaardigers soos Franz Marx van "Klanke is dus die kwashale waarmee die Egoli of Danie Odendaal van tde Laan skildery gemaak word. Myns insiens is dit faam hul karakters en omgewings se 'n betowerende situasie," se sy. voorkomste bepaal. Tekste wat vir radioverhale geskryf is, In 'n e-pos onderhoud met Leon van is dus 'n "opwindende uitdaging" se Luy!. Nierop, skrywer van radiodramas soos Die teks word vir 'n blinde gehoor geskryf Herberg vir 'n vlugteling en die treffer en "moet die luisteraar se belangstelling televisiereeks Ballade vir 'n enkeling, vasvang en dit enduit hou," se sy. en professor in fi lm by die Tshwane William Scanton skryf in sy artikel "Die Universiteit van Tegnologie, se hy dit sal onsigbare teater van die radiodrama" in moeilik wees vir radiodramas om met die Critical Quarterly, hoe elke luisteraar programme op televisie of die internet intiem verkeer met die verhaal, maar salig mee te ding. "Die jeug het soveel visuele onbewus is van die hordes ander wat stimulasie dat ek nie dink klank - behalwe ook betrokke is by die proses. Scanton mu siek - sal hulle betrek nie" verwys na Martin Esslin wat in sy oorsig Die bekroonde radiodrama-regisseu r oor die medium skryf: "Gekonsentreerde Margot Luyt, se in 'n onderhoud die luister na 'n radioverhaal is meer soos regieproses van radiodramas verskil van die ervaring van droom as die van boek film of teater-regie. "Die regisseur moet 'n lees." SMF 67 Luyt se sy kom agter dat hul mark jonger sowel as ouer luisteraars insluit. Teksskrywers word dus aangeraai om so 'n wye gehoor moontlik in gedagte te hou u h v u wanneer hul tekste skryf. Van Nierop se egter die teikengehoor is hoofsaaklik ouer d t luisteraars en diegene in motors. Hy se luisteraarsgetalle het die u b afgelope dekade afgeneem. "Oalk omdat die medium nie meer teen ander media kan kompeteer nie en skrywers nie meer daarin spesialiseer om vir die radio te skryf as in 'n teater waar die toeskouers 'n Blindemol 'n voorbeeld van 'n uitstekende nie." vervelige vertoning uit hoflikheid sal en suksesvolle radioverhaal. Luyt se luisteraarsgetalle wissel van aanhou kyk, kan 'n radioluisteraar "Oit is my missie dat mense weer 100 000 tot 150 000 per radioverhaal. eenvoudig net na 'n ander stasie van die radiodrama begin kennis neem," Getalle wat belowend is vir 'n medium oorskakel. "Die luisteraar moet reeds op se Luyt oor die dalende gewildheid van wat baie se op sy sterfbed Ie. Luyt se bladsy een besluit of hy gaan luister." die medium. Luyt is seker radioverhale die verskyning van televisie het 'n groot Van Nierop se die tempo moet "viol" en gaan luisteraars aan die skinder he vir 'n impak gehad op luisteraarsgetalle, maar "vinnig" wees om die luisteraar se aandag geruime tyd. "Daar is beslis 'n toekoms vir sy vermoed getalle is weer besig om toe deurentyd te hou. die radiodrama," se sy. te neem. "'n Uitstekende radiomatige teks, 'n Van Nierop is meer skepties. Hy Bekende name in die televisie begrip vir die medium en knap radio se luisteraarsgetalle het afgeneem die en-teaterwereld is betrokke in die geletterde spelers is wat 'n radiodrama afgelope dekade, maar glo die radiodrama radioverhaal-bedryf. Die akteur Francois besonders maak. Nou reisigerwat einde het nog 'n plekkie in die son. Toerien doen gereeld stemwerk vir dramas Junie op RSG gespeel het, is 'n goeie "Radiodramas het 'n toekoms in die op RSG. "Ek is baie opgewonde oor die voorbeeld," se Van Nierop. mediawereld, indien dit reg bestuur, belangstelling by spelers," se Luyt. Volgens Luyt, is Chris Barnard se geskryf en opgevoer word." Alhoewel daar wye belangsteiling is by akteurs, is daar 'n aanvraag na skrywers. "Ons wil graag baie meer tekste ontvang van voornemende en bestaande skrywers," se Luyt. Die RSG/Sanlam-dramaskryfkompetisie is juis ingestel om skrywers aan te moedig om radiodramas te skryf. Vanjaar word die kompetisie vir die twaalfde keer aangebied. Die handleiding van die o kompetisie, wat beskikbaar is op RSG se webwerf, se die "basiese toerusting" waaroor skrywers wat deelneem moet beskik, is die vermoe om te kan skryf, 'n fyn waarnemingsvermoe, en goeie beheer oor die taal waarin geskryf word. Die handleiding voeg by dat, anders nk dOe 1 k de 68 SMF What on earth ... ? continued T~cl1~1~[~m~ Chffi~m~S S~ [ffiS~ ~h~s~ illffi~S lthffi~ ~~~ mffi~ [~~[ [[t~ ffi [~r~im~~r wUl1 ffi[[ ~h~ ~mw m~ldiffi-[i~m[~ fi~i~m ffi~lmmt This ~1[mh~ h~[~ ~Irul~ ~~~ ffi [[Ul~o Electronic RSS is a family of web feed formats that is used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts. It contains either a newspaper is a large light summary of the content from the relevant website, or the full text. In this way weight plastic portable screen that people can automatically keep up with their favourite web sites, without having to is constantly updated with the latest do it manually (wikipedia .org). news and mimics the look - but not the feel - of a printed newspaper. The ide al format, a flexible display that could Web 3.0 (also called the Semantic Web) envisions that machines will be be rolled or folded like a newspaper, able to read web pages like we do. Search engines and sofware agents will be is still years off, but color displays with able to beter search the net for exactly what we are looking for (pcmagazine. moving images and interactive click com). It is also sometimes described as web 2.0 "with a brain". able advertising will be coming in only a few more years. Web 2.0 refers to the supposed Platypus is a journalist who per second generation of web communi forms a variety of different tasks such ties , which aim to facilitate interaction as writing and capturing video and still and sharing between users. This would images and then editing these images for Eyeballs is slang for viewers, as in include social-networking sites like online use. "Our website can deliver a lot of eyeballs Facebook or sites to which anyone can for your ad." (www.metromemetics.com) contribute, like Wikipedia. Digital terrestrial Podcasts are digital media Bells-and-whistles are fea files, or a collection of such files, tures of a design which do not add con television is the implementation which is distributed over the internet and is intended for playback on por tent and are used just to impress viewers of digital technology using aerial broad table media players and personal with the medium's sophistication. casts to a traditional antenna instead of computers. A podcast is different a satellite, to ultimately provide a greater from other digital media formats be number of channels and/or better quality cause of its ability to be syndicated, pictures and sound. subscribed to, and downloaded Brochureware is a website automatically when new content is added (wikipedia.com) . created to promote a company or its services. Integrating newsrooms is the practice of combining the tradi tionally separate print newsroom and online division of a publication to produce Technorati is an internet search content for both platforms. engine for searching blogs. Combining the words 'technology' and 'literati' (intel lectuals), the engine uses writer-generat Docutainment is a ed tags on blogs to search. combination of documentary and entertainment. It could be a television programme which includes both news and entertainment content, or a blend Advertising-in-drag ing of both. (www.mediacollege.com) is advertising posing as editorial content. Photo: www.sXLhu - ppreocher SMF 69 Gevra: 'n Drukmedia Harry Potter Koerante weerspieel die werklikheid van 'n tydgedrewe samelewing. Ditgeld ookvir die tegnologie, want soos dit ontwikkel, hou koerante daarmee tred. Janice Keogh hetgaan kykhoe die veranderinge die uitlegvan koerante geraak het om in pas met die gejaagde mens te bly. p 'n drafstap gryp jy jou cappucino PressLink in Swede, se hierdie wereldwye Volgens Jacolette Kloppers , 'n senior en croissant by die vrou agter die gejaagdheid van mense het gemaak dat sy bladuitlegkunstenaar van Die Burger, vat Otoonbank en op pad deur toe loer spesialiteitsgebied, internetjoernalistiek, so dagblaaie soos die Beeld en Die Burger jy blitsig na die koerante op die winkelrak. gegroei het. dikwels die kans om iets buitensporigs Foto's van die vermoorde Sheldean Hu Die internet is egter nie dagblaaie se visueel te pro beer. man en Zim-despoot Robert Mugabe staan enigste kompetisie as dit kom by visuele "Met groot nuusgebeure is koerante in uit, so ook die vetgedrukte "Stormers", storievertelling nie. Televisie plaas media kompetisie met mekaar en gaan dit oor wie "Verkragting" en "Xenofobie". Jy gryp die verbruikers in die middel van nuusgebeure dit die beste regkry om die grootheid en een wat die meeste opval, stop die geld met behulp van video en klank. Die druk belangrikheid van die geleentheid oor te stuk in die kassier se hand en storm uit. media moet alles tot hul beskikking gebruik dra. Spesiale geleenthede soos Madiba se Miskien kry jy later 'n tydjie om gou daarna am die leser te 10k. verjaarsdag en die 2007 Rugby Wereld te loer. Mense kommunikeer al vanaf die beker bied baie ruimte tot kreatiwiteit, en Ons lewe in 'n wereld waar tyd 'n luuks vroegste eeue deur die visuele, hetsy dit dit is dikwels waarom die koerant dan so 'n heid geword het. Mense wil vinnig by die rotstekeninge, rookseine of hierogliewe sterk visuele aanslag het." werk kom, vinnig kommunikeer en nog vin was. Die mens se voorkeur vir die visuele Andries Gouws, Beeld se tipografiese niger inligting kry. Die media moet uithaal is vandag dus niks ongewoon nie. redakteur, se "toeganklikheid" is die am by te bly. Jennifer George-Palilonis, wat meer as wagwoord. Dit is belangrik om die lees Mense wil nie meer deur ellelange 25 koerante in die VSA herontwerp het, se van 'n koerant vir lesers maklik te maak en artikels wroeg nie. Hulle wil n611 weet wat in haar boek, A Practical Guide to Graphics om deur die gebruik van groot foto's en 'n aangaan. Die foto en die opskrif moet se Reporting, wat handel oor grafiese verslag groot lettertipe te vertel wat belang ri k is om wat gebeur het. gewing, dat die media vandag meer as ooit te weet. Hopelik tref dit dan hul oog op die Dis nie net in Suid-Afrika die geval nie. meer visueel gesofistikeerd moet wees am twee-minuut resies deur die koerant. Nils Indahl, die voormalige by die verwagtinge van die leserspubliek N6g 'n groot verandering oor die afgelope Europese direkteur by te hou. twee dekades in bladuitleg, is modulere uitleg . "Die uitle van artikels in blokke het dit baie makliker gemaak vir lesers . van Dre_~~~~. _-;;::-_~.':._s-~DI_E_B_UR!_G_E_R~=:.:: ""..... S.A. praat dalk in .. ---~ ~--~~~~~~--~~- V.V. oor Suidwes Bring Hove terug, eis Muzorewa Hulle kan duidelik sien wat aangaan," se belangrike boodskap verlore. Soos Garcia vervang sal word. "Die skrif is al klaar teen Gouws. Arlene Prinsloo, Die Burger se bylas, "ons is 'n gemeenskap van 'scan die muur, of eerder, op die skerm: tipografiese redakteur, stem saam dat ners' wat na die koerant loer en lees wat Maar is dit werklik die begin van die modulere uitleg dit makliker maak om te ons aandag trek. Die uitdaging bestaan einde? Het ons s6 ontwikkel dat koerante lees, maar se egter dis die aanhalings, dan vir koerante om van die eerste tot die dalk nog net een generasie gaan bestaan? grafiese elemente en inligtingskassies wat laaste bladsy aandag te trek." In die lig van al die veranderinge in die die lokaas van die koerant is. Sy meen In 'n studie oor Die Burgerse voorblaaie mediategnologie, kan 'n mens maar net ook dat agendastelling 'n groot deel van van die laaste twee of drie dekades, is dit wonder oor die toekoms van koerante. 'n bladopmaker se taak is. "Die oomblik duidelik dat koerante aansienlik verander Prinsloo is egter nie bekommerd nie. wat 'n groot storie breek, soek 'n mens het in terme van uitleg. Die inlasfoto's van "Ek dink dagblaaie het 'n toekoms indien die beste foto-materiaal moontlik om 'n Die Burger vanaf 1978 tot vandag spreek ons saam met die samelewing en hul impak te maak en s6 vir lesers te wys hoe vanself: Kleiner foto's, kleiner opskrifte, behoeftes verander." belangrik die storie is. " uitleg wat nie moduler is nie en natuurlik Garcia het dit tydens die WAN-kongres Prinsloo, wat Die Burger herontwerp het kleur wat eers veel later in die prentjie in Kaapstad verlede jaar beaam. "Mense en haar bes probeer het om ook visuele gekom het. Selfs die "gryse ou dame", lees nog steeds, al wat hulle nodig het is joernalistiek op elke bladsy die norm te The New York Times, het in 1998 ook die bietjie 'magic'. Dink Harry Potter." maak, se dagblaaie gebruik vandag baie oorgang na kleurfoto's gemaak meer kleur, en plaas groter klem op grafika Daar is ook 'n mate van "kul jou hier, kul en inligtingskassies. Dit trek aandag en jou daar" as dit kom by koerantverkope. kan vinnig gelees word - in die moderne Koerante se grafiese personeel sal elke koerantleser se kraal. toertjie in die boek probeer as dit sal Wat foto's betref, het koerante net toe verseker die leser tel hul koerant in plaas nemend beter geraak. Die eerste kleur van die kompetisie s'n op. foto's wat in Beeld verskyn het, was die Volgens Gouws is Rapport se voor van Prins Charles en Diana se troue in blad, die eerste Sondag na die storie van 1981. Vandag kan jy jou amper nie 'n dag Rene Burger se verkragting gebreek het, blad sonder kleur voorstel nie, laat staan 'n 'n goeie voorbeeld hiervan. Met die druk voorblad . van die koerant was haar naam egter nog Tydens die onlangse vreemdelinge nie bekendgemaak nie, maar die voorblad haat-aanvalle in Suid-Afrika het Die Burger met 'n groot foto van Karen Zoid saam met byna elke dag 'n groot kleurfoto op die die berig van die persoon wat verkrag is, voorblad gehad. lemand wat aan die brand het dit laat Iyk of Zoid die slagoffer was. gesteek is , hawelose kinders, en talle wat Dit was selfs vir 'n kenner soos Gouws met skreeuende plakkate in ons groot verwarrend. stede betoog. Maar hoe lank kan hierdie kompetisie "'n Foto soos die brandende man vir die vinnigste nuus, kortste stories en tydens hierdie aanvalle dra waarskynlik meeste interaktiwiteit voortduur voordat die ontstellende werklikheid beter oor as koerante die punt bereik waar die internet 'n beskrywing daarvan," meen Kloppers. reeds vir etlike jare is? Waar internetver Koerante is die "oe en ore van die publiek". bruikers die nuus in 'n vinnig-Iees formaat "Deur foto's te plaas wys jy vir die publiek letterlik aan hulle vingerpunte het. presies wat daar gebeur het en hoe dit ge Rodger Fidler, 'n professor in joer Iyk het. Jy plaas die publiek op die toneel." nalistiek aan die Universiteit van Kent in 'n Meester in koerantuitleg, Mario die VSA, het selfs so ver gegaan om die Garcia, wat reeds vir 30 jaar publikasies stelling te maak dat drukmedia, soos wat herontwerp, se mense skenk 20% minder ons dit vandag ken , teen 2020 nie meer aandag aan swart-en-wit foto's as aan sal bestaan nie en deur digitale media kleurfoto's. Vir diegene wat net na foto's kyk vir die nuus, gaan daar dalk 'n - ---:-::::;;:;E'lBlURGER --_.L_--' i DI ~\.=- MAN ~".... cl1"t,c,. ... a FOlo 's: Janice Ke ogh Jr--;:"::- 1\ •• lC.a;,i- Eendag lank, lank gelede, voor die koms van televisie en die internet, het feitlik almal gelees. Baie spasie is in publikasies aan boekresensies gewy. Vandag, in die tegnologies-gevorderde wereld, wonder 'n mens of die storie nie (fiuit-fiuit) uit is vir boeke en boekresensies nie. Carolyn Meads het resensente, boekeblad-redakteurs en uitgewers gevra wat hulle dink. SON et jy al die reuk van 'n bieding gebombardeer. Dit blyk dat meer ( ,11' nuwe boek geruik? Was kykers as lesers gekweek word. Hjy al deur 'n omslag Volgens Annari van der Merwe, direk betower? Het jy al oor die gladde teur van Umuzi-uitgewers, is daar egter bladsye gestreel? Of het jy al bewys dat mense wat wei lees, nou meer heeltemal verdiep geraak in 'n lees as ooit tevore. In 'n onderhoud met storie terwyl jy opgekrul onder SMF, se sy "die uitdaging is om 'n lees ( II lkt -.;lid ,h~ .Ibn pl,III' 1,1 ,-!ul.'liun th,,: [" N,lIlf.i (h.• nt.: .nJ \\t;"t w( Olr d 1m\!: ~\ilh. waarom resensente, by die skool met boeke kennis maak. Die (.i~il rich"ui. i _h It thl. IlI.l!il..·~· lk:p.lr m Hoe dit ook al sy: Jammer, Ook, maar gesag oor enigiets kan skryf: sake, sport, Oit is hiermee in gedagte dat hy 'n die hop van die bal is gunstig vir die geld misdaad, politiek, en so meer." 201 O-span geskep het in sy sportredaksie, makers, en sporthelde is vir sommiges net Vanuit hierdie perspektief meen Van met joernaliste wat hulself met die Wereld knoppies op 'n OTM. En ja, spelers staak der Westhuizen die Britte en Amerikaners beker en sy wyd uiteenlopende implika ook deesdae. "Vir die liefde van die spel ... " is Suid-Afrika ver voor in die sportkantoor. sies bemoei tot na die toernooi. Hulle Gevolglik moet 'n mens vra watter Naude se ook koerante kan dalk nader sal daarna deel vorm van die algemene uitdagings hierdie gekommersialiseerde aan die 2010 Wereldbeker 'n spesialisspan sportredaksie, maar intussen sal Snyman sportomgewing nou en in die toekoms aan oorweeg wat kyk na die ekonomiese impak joernaliste in Johannesburg, Kaapstad , sportjoernalistiek gaan bied? van die toernooi op grondvlak, sakebe Port Elizabeth en Ourban he. Van der Westhuizen laat weet per lange en dies meer. Oaar bestaan nie tans Sy 2010-span se fokus is tans e-pos sportborge begin op 'n al groter s6 iets in die drukmedia nie. voorvalle wat kan lei tot 'n onsuksesvolle se in die drukmedia aandring. Neem die Voor Suid-Afrikaners in sak en as sit Wereldbekertoernooi. Dinge soos stakings voorbeeld van die Vodacom-spanne op omdat ons (weer) agteros is vergeleke met by stadions oor lone, wat dus konstruk Vodacompark in die Vodacom Super 14 as die genoemde wereldmoondhede, moet siewerk vertraag, vreemdelingehaat, die 'n absurde, maar realistiese voorbeeld van 'n mens net aanklop by Anton Snyman, buiteland se mening oor veiligheid van wat 'n mens Vodacom-inisasie kan noem. sportnuusredakteur van die SAUK, om toeriste, en die sosio-ekonomiese impak "Oit maak 'n storie onleesbaar, en watter moed te skep, en te sien hoe sportjoerna van die toernooi , is voorbeelde hiervan. ondersteuner dink in elk geval aan sy span listiek in die toekoms gaan Iyk. Verder is menslike stories, soos as die Vodacom Bulls?" Snyman meen ook sport gaan nie bed-en-ontbyt-eienaars in Soweto wat Hy se sportowerhede probeer ook al sommer die sakeblaaie of -bulletins haal by Match, die amptelike 2010 verblyf meer om media te reguleer, dikwels omdat nie, "maar indien daar sportbyeenkomste agentskap, geregistreer is, hul koso Sny hulle nie borge wil afskrik nie. Joernaliste of -toernooie in 'n land aangebied word, man se die span sal mettertyd begin kyk word ook van spelers af weggehou, se hy, sal 'n sportverslaggewer die ekonomiese na spanprofiele en ander meer sportspesi en word net 'n "amptelike line" gevoer deur implikasies moet kan verstaan en vertolk. fieke stories. 'n woordvoerder. "Oit maak inbreuk op Wat sake-insigte betref, moet 'n sportver Hy meen ook dit is veral by uitsaaime persvryheid " slaggewer meer 'n algemene kennis as in dia waar afgeronde sportjoernaliste wat 'n Belangriker vraag is waarskynlik diepte kennis van sakeverslaggewing he." enige soort storie kan dek, onmisbaar deur walter deugde 'n sportjoernalis in die gaan raak in die toekoms. Soos Naude toekoms gedefinieer gaan word? gese het, sakeverslaggewing dek alles wat Is sinergie tussen sake- en sportjoer " ... 'n werklike goeie met sake te doen het, en die sportredaksie nalistiek 'n realistiese vooruitsig vir die hanteer sport in die drukmedia . Uitsaaime toekoms? verslaggewer [moet] dia is 'n ander storie. Charles Naude, groepredakteur van "Omdat daar soveel minder tyd aan Sake24, dink nie so nie. In 'n telefoonon met gesag oor sport op nuusbulletins afgestaan word derhoud se hy "Sakejoernaliste bemoei as wat daar spasie in 'n koerant vir sport hulself met dinge soos die bou van enigiets kan skryf: is, is ons sportredaksie betreklik klein, stadions, kontrakte, sementskaarstes en en beteken dit dat sportverslaggewers handelsmerk-kwessies by 'n Wereldbeker. sake, sport, misdaad, oor allerlei sportsoorte m6et kan verslag Oaar is reeds bestaande velde, soos doen," se Snyman. bemarking en konstruksie, wat sakejoer politiek, en so meer." Ofskoon koerante nog altyd meer naliste self kan hanteer. Met die groei "beat-gerig" was as uitsaaimedia wat sport van sportkommersialisering kan 'n klein betref, neem Snyman dus reuse tree in die afdeling daarvoor in sakepublikasies vir die ontwikkeling van sportjoernalistiek in 'n toekoms oorweeg word ." gekommersialiseerde sportwereld met sy Mark Smit, sportredakteur van Business 2010-span. Day, stem saam met Naude dat sake- en Die skep van 'n span soos die een van sportjoernalistiek afsonderlike velde moet die SAUK wat oor aile aspekte van die wees. Hy voel egter sportsake moet sterk Wereldbeker verslag doen, en wat daarna oorweeg word as spesialiteitsgebied in die weer deel van die algemene sportredaksie algemene media. word, skep 'n nuwe soort sportjoernalis. Oit kan veral waardevol wees by 'n Een wat Smit se ideaal van 'n sake/ sakekoerant soos Business Day, waar hulle sportjoernalis kan verwesenlik. "A jack of all die gewone stories dek, en verder soek trades, and master of some." vir sake-invalshoeke, "soos Manchester 'n Kennis van sport en 'n liefde daar United se geldsake aan die einde van hul voor aileen gaan nie meer die weg kan finansiele jaarH baan vir 'n aspirant-sportjoernalis nie. AI meer media-instansies wend hulself "Van Blouen" sou vandag soos 'n leek tot sportnuusredakteurs, en Smit dink in die Blou Bul Maatskappy se raadsaal dit is die toekoms vir sportjoernalistiek. voel, want Naas Botha se skopskoen sal Pieter Kruger beklee hierdie pos by Beeld, aan rande en nie aan punte gemeet word hoewel hy tans meer met die produksie nie. Vodacom sou tot die Bul se salaris van sportnuus te doen het as Van der bydra. Westhuizen. "Klein begrotings maak sport Soos Snyman se: "Oie sportjoernalis redakteurs en sportnuusredakteurs in elke van die toekoms is 'n veelsydige ver nuuskantoor ongelukkig moeilik haalbaar," slaggewer met 'n bree kennis van sport, 'n se Smit in ons telefoongesprek. intense belangstelling in nuus en iemand Sake-insigte is vol gens Van der West wat nie sal skroom om skouer aan die wiel huizen 'n noodsaak in enige joernalis se te sit nie." lemand wat ook "deeglik bewus mondering en hoewel dit 'n groter rol mag is van sportpolitiek op aile vlakke" speel by sportjoernalistiek in die toekoms, Waarop aile Suid-Afrikaanse sportlief "moet 'n werklike goeie verslaggewer met Graflka: Fred Mouton hebbers kan se: "Sela. Amen l" SMF 75 The Television Match Official in rugby, the third umpire in cricket, the instant replay challenge system in tennis, television, radio and internet coverage of all big matches ... the relationship between sport and media technology has developed dramatically in the last few years. Sport has become a professional business. Have these advances changed the way sport is played in any way? Philippa Francis takes a look at three professional sports; rugby, cricket and tennis to find out more... 76 SMF sportsman or woman is equal to an will have to be careful to keep the good old will be made a lot easier," he says. entertainer. Sport is equal to enter umpire relevant." Erasmus says that luck still plays a big tainment. This is what David Emslie, He also says that coverage of the role in cricket. Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Prov games has killed cricket as a live spectator "Maybe luck with decisions going your ince Cricket, thinks and he calls it "spor sport. way may be gone, but in the game itself, tainment". He says the professional sports "More people tend to watch the match luck is still alive with dropped catches and men and women of today are entertainers on television instead of coming to the so on." and they simply have to get used to it. grounds. This is why the Twenty20 format* As with everything else, progression is "I t is part of a sportsman's duty to is so popular because it is exciting and necessa ry. Emslie says that as equipment entertain. There are parts of sport these draws spectators to the live game," he becomes more high-tech, sport has to days that are not necessarily good and says. evolve along with it. that is just the way it is. If you want to be Marais Erasmus, an International Panel In rugby, the Television Match Official an entertainer, you have to fight for your Umpire, is experienced on and off the field (TMO)* has enhanced the game because it place," he says. as umpire and third umpire respectively has given a new dimension to the specta Most people think technological de in international matches. He agrees that tors who can become more involved in vel opments in sport are a good thing, but Twenty20 has made cricket more of a match play. sometimes for different reasons. Emslie is spectator sport with the action-plus-extras Shaun Veldsman became a TMO in excited about the new developments hap approach. 2006 after he seriously injured his knee pening in cricket circles . while refereeing a rugby match. He wanted "Technological innovations have to stay as involved as he could and sug brought enormous advantages to the sport. gested to the authorities that they use him The television audience has saved the life Nowadays, there is so as a TMO. of cricket because it created money in the much at stake in profes "As a referee, and especially as a TMO, game. sional sport, we do not there is pressure all the time. Referees are "The TV industry made cricketers well allowed to make mistakes on the field . known and the players are now public want any decision to "When a TMO makes a decision, it is property because the game is brought right negatively influence the scrutinised by the players, coaches, live into the homes of spectators," he says. outcome of the game. spectators and home vi ewers. We are Broadcast developments in sport mean expected not to make mistakes because that there are other media, besides news we have technology and a little time at our papers, to get the message across to the disposal. public immediately at an affordable rate, "Twenty20 is more 'sportainment' than "And I agree, TMOs should not make unlike in the old days. the gentleman's game ever was. The com mistakes. We shou ld get it right every "My main goal is to keep the game alive petition with other sports for television time time," Veld sman says. while keeping the spectators and players has necessitated it," he says. He also thinks that the introduction of happy. We rely heavily on the media from He says that cricket is to go even further technology and the media into the sporting a business perspective as it is a viable by introducing a challenge system very world is great news. communication tool. It is important for similar to that in professional tennis tourna sponsors as they are generally guaranteed ments. He admits that the technological IMPORTANT DECISIONS Left: Peter Parker and a good return from broadcast advertising," advances do put pressure on the umpires Billy Doctrove umpire a test match between Emslie says. to make the correct decisions all the time. South Africa and Pakistan in 2006. "The technical innovations including 'There is pressure but it also shows Below: A Maties third league final between the third umpire* definitely enhance the who the better umpires are and with the Dagbreek and Majuba residences. spectator experience but the authorities new challenge system, decision-making Photos: EP Cricket and Dagbreek archives Sport Speak Cricket's third umpire* The third umpire is an off-field official who makes the fi nal decisions in questions referred to him by the two on-field um pires concerning dismissals or boundaries. Rugby's Television Match Of ficial (TMO)* According to international TMO Shaun Veldsman, the TMO as sists the referee in making deci sions in the in-goal area of the rugby field and other related queries, especially in the act of scoring a try. The ultimate decision is left to the on-field referee. MAKING TIME FOR HIS FANS Makhaya Ntini is one of South Africa's greatest cricketers of all time but he always has time for his supporters. Being an Eastern Cape man himself, it is no surprise that Tennis' instant replay fans follow him wherever he goes in Port Elizabeth, even to private functions. challenge system Picture provided by Eostern Province Cricket The system uses a minimum of eight cameras per court and "Nowadays, there is so much at stake when the instant replay challenge system' a computer system to chart in professional sport with money and spon came out. the path of the ball to where sors that we do not want any decision to "I would have loved it to be around it touches the court surface. negatively influence the outcome of the when I was playing to see the benefits first Players may challenge a line game," he says. hand . At first I did not think it was a good call twice in a set. An additional He does agree with Marais Erasmus thing and just a gimmick for the crowds. challenge is added if the set that luck and chance is still there in any But now one can see the players do not goes into a tie-breaker. game or sport with a catch that is dropped get as angry and it cuts out a lot of the or the awkward bounce of a rugby ball. Not arguments with officials. Twenty20 format* much has changed according to Veldsman "I do not think it has changed tennis at Twenty20 cricket was intro except for the fact that sports broadcasters all , it has just eased the tension between duced by the England and Wales now control the rugby schedule. players and officials. I think it has done the Cricket Board in 2003. It is a "It has affected the game of rugby same in cricket and rugby," Vermaak says. kind of one-day cricket but each because we have to play according to The International Cri cket Council has team bats for only 20 overs, in broadcast times. The television and radio recently introduced a challenge system stead of the 50 overs for a stan stations determine the times and we just (very similar to that of tennis) which allows dard one-day game. A game can have to follow," he says. challenges of on -field umpires' decisions. be played in around three hours Yvonne Vermaak, a former Springbok The television referral system was given a which gives it great spectator tennis player, cannot believe how much trial run during the India/Sri Lanka series. entertainment value. the sport has changed since she played Jonty Rhodes, a former Protea player, professionally. told the Cape Times he thinks the TV refer (Information for this insert was "In my day, tennis players socialised ral system is a "step in a positive direction". obtained from Wikipedia and the together, today they definitely do not. It "I watched a lot of the Wimbledon and Associated Press) is a much more powerful game with the the French Open tournaments, where I technology of racquets, balls and takkies. saw it being used quite effectively," Rho THE TINY TIGER The name the South Afri People work out more and it is also about des told the Cape Times. can media gave Yvonne Vermaak In her making a living, " she says. According to David Emslie, sport has heyday because of her small frame and Vermaak played in the days of John evolved naturally into what it is today. This feisty sporting spirit. McEnroe and Jimmy Connors in the evolution has evened things out, the better Pidur. Provided late 70s and 80s. One of her greatest players win, luck is ruled out of achievements is playing the Wimbledon the game and it is entertaining. semi-finals against tennis legend Martina But he says technology has Navratilova in 1983. definitely benefited the fairness "The atmosphere was special, the sta of the game of cricket as well as dium was full. Tennis was already an en rugby and tennis . tertainment sport in those days. Just look As Yvonne Vermaak says, where it is today. I was very nervous to be she does not like unfair deci in front of all those people but it only made sions. Not many people do . me enjoy the moment more," she says. "I think players prefer it to be Vermaak played at Wimbledon for 25 fair. All sports players are for years , 12 years in the open age group and fair play. Well , I hope they are?" another 13 in the veterans section. She she says. has played in stadiums all over the world. Now media technology will She says she would have liked to play have the final say. 78 SMF Fun facts about a changing • media society Technorati , a blog search engine, According to OMD's Media Facts In the Newsroom Barometer 2008, estimates that there are 175 000 new 2008 South Africa has 5.1 mi1lion 85% of editors expressed optimism blogs everyday. According to this internet users, but there are only 3.5 about the future of their newspapers. esti mation, on 12 October 2008 there broadband subscribers per 1000 An overwhelming number, 79%. view were 114140011 blogs. people. online and new media as a welcome addition. In the Newsroom Barometer 2008, a study published by the World According to OMD's Media Facts Editors Forum, 41% of editors 2008 in 1975 South Africa had no A study by Gender Links entitled perceived the main threat to their television channels, in March 2008 Gender and Advertising in Southern editorial independence in the future there were 85, this includes DStv and Africa found that men featured in 59% as being related to their newspapers' non-commercial stations. of the adverisements studied and financial dependence, whether on women 41%. shareholders or advertisers. According to OMD's Media Facts According to OMD's Media Facts According to the International 2008 in 1975 South Africa had 7 2008 South Africa has 39.66 million Research and Exchanges Board radio stations, in March 2008 there mobile subscribers, covering 96% of (IREX), total ad spend in South were more than 135. the country's population. Africa, excluding self-promotion, was R10.1 billion in 2006. Of the R20.1 billion spent on advertising, Five of the ten best-selling novels The World Association of print holds the highest share at 40%. in Japan last year were written on Newspapers, a non-governmental This includes newspapers (28%) and cellphones. (The Economist, 10 April organisation, was founded in 1948 magazines (12%), and amounts to 2008) and represents 18000 publications over R8 billion. on the five continents. In August 2008 Sony unveiled the Researchers believe the first search According to OMD's Media Facts world 's thinnest LCD television, the engine to be "Archie", created in 1990 2008 in December 1998 South Africa ZX1 , at the IFA consumer electronics by Alan Emtage, a student at McGill had 250 million internet web pages, fair in Berlin. It measures 9.9mm University in Montreal, Canada. in March 2008 there were more than deep at its slimmest section. 11 billion. (according to www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm) Internet usage as % of the world Usage Growth 2000-2008 1400 .------ 1200 -kc------ 1000 800 • Africa 3.5% 600 . Asia 39.5% 400 200 • Europe 26.3% • Middle East 2.9% • North Am erica 17% • Latin America/ Caribbean 9.5% Oceania/Austra li a 1.4% SMF 79 ~ Agterosse ~s; & »»> spt~ ««< Voorlopers ~ < SABC is an agteros for allowing poli > e.tv is a voor/operfor launching South tics to cloud their mandate. Atrlca 's first 24-hour news channel. < The Daily Voice is an agteros for call > Smaller newspaper formats like ing foreign nationals "aliens", especially The Times and The We ekender are during xenophobic violence. voor/opers. < South Africa's slow broadba nd devel > So are South African newspapers that opment is an agteros. are integrating their newsrooms. < The Sunday Times is an agteros for > Press ombudsman Joe Thloloe is a reporting wrongfu lly on Transnet and the voor/oper for demanding front page apolo Land Bank. gies for front page blunders. < David Bullard and Jon Qwelane are > Mail&Guardian is a voor/oper for ex agterosse for their respectively racist and panding their award-winning blog collec homophobic columns. ti on thoughtleader.co.za with sports/eader. co.za. < The ANC is an agteros for proposing a "media tribunal" and talking about start > Satirical news website Hayibo.com is ing their own newspaper. a voor/oper for putting a new spin on the news. < Rapport is an agteros for firing colum nist Deon Maas after he called satanism > Congratulations to the voor/oper The a legitimate religion and readers th reat Times for celebrating its first birthday this ened to boikot the paper. year. < The Forum for Black Journalists are > CTV is a voor/oper for being the first agterosse for creating a racially exclusive Cape Town based non-profit, community forum. television station. Visit our blog at http://smf2008.wordpress.com for video's, photos and more information about change in the media. 80 SMF --s ,outh re 3a Ipolo ex Ilec ader. mis the The , this :irst mity As jy ernstig is oor 'n loopbaan in die joernalistiek, is die US se nagraadse Departement Joernalistiekjou leerskool. Besoek ons webwerf by www.sun.ac.za/journalism/programmes.htmlvir inligting oor ons nagraadse joernaIistiekku rsusse. If you're serious about a career in journalism, study at Stellenbosch University's graduate Department of Journalism. Visit our website at www.sun.ac.za/journalism/programme.htmlfor more information on our postgraduate journalism courses. Identified in the Sanef Skills Audit 2002 as a 'centre of excellence'. Identified as one of the top twelve journalism schools in Africa - UNESCO report 2007 'Criteria and Indicators for Quality Journalism Training' J O 2 urn a lis m We breathe it! Department of Journalism, University of Stellenbosch Private Bag Xl, Matieland 7602 Tel : +27 21 808 3488 Fax: +27 21 808 3487 e-mail: [email protected] www.sun.ac.za/journalism