Networking forums

Thank you to the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (Pretoria Zoo) for hosting the club’s networking forum on 23 May. The evening included a night tour with fantastic sightings of nocturnal animals and a traditional South African braai. Specific thanks go to Craig Allenby and Angeliné Schwan for their great hospitality – as always!

Watch this space for announcements of club networking forums over the next few months, also in Johannesburg.

Winners of Discovery Health Journalism Awards announced

The judges have selected the Discovery Health Journalism Awards for 2013, with Mia Malan of Mail & Guardian winning the Discovery Health Journalist of the Year award for her story ‘Rural hospitals in terminal crisis’.

The independent judging panel described her work as demonstrating excellent writing skills, an ability to use a diversity of relevant sources and good research, which leaves her readers well informed about the issues as well as their context. While she shines a torch on official neglect, she also highlights the heroism of individual doctors working tirelessly in the most difficult of conditions to serve the people.

According to Discovery Health chief executive officer Dr Jonathan Broomberg, healthcare is becoming an increasingly central issue in society. “Healthcare reporting spans health economics, the regulatory environment and consumer health issues – to name but a few. Reporting on these wide reaching and sometimes emotive issues is often complex.

“We would like to salute all journalists who are highlighting critical healthcare issues with flair, passion and professionalism, especially the finalists and winners of this year’s awards.”

Prof Tawana Kupe, convenor of the judging panel, said the panel was “pleased by the number of entries focusing on systemic problems in the healthcare system, an interesting dimension of this year’s entries was a particular focus on those doctors who choose despite the difficult conditions to serve in rural health facilities.”

The winners are:

• Best Health News Reporting – Katharine Child, The Times, Live-saving Drug on Hold
• Best Health Television Reporting – Amalia Christoforou and Wynand Grobler, Carte Blanche, Smart Drugs
• Best Health Radio Journalism – Ayanda Mkwananzi, Health-e News Service for SAFM, I am now a Conqueror
• Best Health Analysis and Commentary – Antoinette Pienaar, Beeld, Etiek van Stamselle
• Best Health Economics – Tamar Kahn, Business Day, Rising Fees at Public Hospitals
• Best Investigative Journalism – Estelle Brits and Eugene Coetzee, The Herald, A Right gone Wrong
• Best Health Journalism: Foreign Media – Darren Taylor, Voice of America, The Near-Absence of Health Care Delivery in Rural South Africa
• Best Healthy Lifestyle Feature – Lindsay Ord, Daily News, Barefoot Running … is less really more?
• Best Health Consumer Reporting and Feature Writing – Mia Malan, Mail & Guardian, Rural hospitals in terminal crisis
• loveLife Young Health Journalist of the Year – Fathima Simjee

Sanef concerned about INMSA deal

Assurances are needed that the constitutional mandate of journalists employed at Independent News & Media South Africa (INMSA) will be protected if the company is acquired by Sekunjalo Independent Media, editors have said.

A number of professional journalists were “deeply concerned” at the manner in which the acquisition was being conducted, South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) chairman Nic Dawes wrote in an open letter to Competition Commissioner Shan Ramburuth.

“A singular feature of Sekunjalo’s application is the lack of information about the people who are members of the consortium representing the company,” he said.

Dawes said INMSA publications played an important role in the production of South Africa’s news.

“This role has a major influence on the public of South Africa in their appreciation and assessment of the conduct of governance and the general economic, social and political affairs of the country as a whole.”

Sekunjalo had said it did not envisage any retrenchments and that the concerns of employees had been met.

Dawes said that while this assurance was welcomed, media staff needed to be able to carry out their Constitutional obligations.

“Editorial employees labouring under these obligations require firm assurances that the people in control of the company will provide the equipment, resources and the employment environment necessary to meet those obligations.”

As INMSA had a monopoly in the English-language newspaper markets of Cape Town and Durban, and large stakes in Pretoria and Kimberley, “serious scrutiny” of the plans around the acquisition was needed.

In the letter, Dawes wrote that confirmation was also needed that no political party would control the appointment of the chairman or CEO of INMSA.

The letter was emailed to media industry members, who were asked to support an appeal for the Competition Commission to extend its hearings into the acquisition.

Business Day reported that the Sekunjalo Independent Media Consortium and INMSA signed a binding offer in February, which was subject to regulatory approval by the South African Reserve Bank and the Competition Commission.

The consortium had made a submission to the Competition Commission explaining why its R2-billion takeover of the group should be approved.

According to the newspaper, it emerged in this submission that the Government Employees’ Pension Fund would acquire a 25-percent stake, worth about R500-million, in the group as part of the consortium.

A transaction notice reportedly stated that shareholders in the consortium, which was set up by Dr Iqbal Surve, included Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla and businessman Sandile Zungu, who had been appointed with Surve to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) business council by President Jacob Zuma.

INMSA publishes several newspapers, including the Cape Times, The Star and The Mercury. IOL is the digital division of INMSA. – Sapa

See you at emBARgo

Members are reminded about happy hour at the press club bar emBARgo, every Friday from 17:00 to 19:00. The bar is in the cellar of the Orange Restaurant in the Court Classique Hotel, corner of Beckett and Francis Baard (previously Schoeman) Streets, Arcadia.

Thank you for paying membership fees

Thank you to those press club members who have already paid their membership fees for 2013.

Members who have not yet done so, are requested to pay their fees as soon as possible.

Membership fees are R220 for full members, R350 for associate members and R150 for student members.

Members are requested to use their invoice number as reference when payment is done, so that it can be picked up easily by the secretariat.

Feedback

Please send any news, suggestions or information for this newsletter to Martin van Niekerk at the secretariat on martin@junxionpr.co.za, 082 257 0305. Website | Facebook | Twitter

Newsmaker awarded

The South African rhino was awarded the 2012 National Press Club – Aon South Africa Newsmaker of the Year award on 12 April.

Just under 350 members and guests attended this high profile event, with most guests making a huge effort to adhere to the dress code ‘elegantly African.’ Go to our Facebook page to view the photos!

The award was handed over symbolically to learners from Pretoria’s Crawford Preparatory School, who pledged to save the rhino for the future of South Africa’s heritage.

Press club chairperson Antoinette Slabbert said at the event that rhino poaching had been in the news consistently the entire year, evoking strong emotions.

“In many respects history was made last year – a record number of 668 rhinos were poached, a harsh sentence of 40 years for a kingpin in the poaching industry was handed down and an international accord to try and stop poaching was signed, to name a few.

“The onslaught on these African giants has not only resulted in much debate in the country and elsewhere in the world, but has also united people to rally behind campaigns against the bleeding of our heritage. It is critical for governments, corporates, individuals and the media to stand up and take action to stop the killing of our rhinos,” said Slabbert.

Aon South Africa’s Chief Executive Officer Anton Roux said the award recognised the efforts of ordinary people, the courts, government, SANParks and other conservation bodies and law enforcement agencies to stop rhino poaching.

“While the rhino has dominated headlines for all the wrong reasons, the media has played a fundamental role in informing not only South Africans, but the world, about the massive tragedy that is unfolding in our country. The media coverage has been pivotal in being able to galvanise the breadth of South African society in the fight to save one of our big five icons. South Africa’s rhino heritage is a precious privilege that can never be forfeited.

“Aon South Africa is proud to be associated with such an award that recognises issues that capture public sentiment and fuel open, democratic debate.”

The annual National Press Club – Proudly SA media award for society upliftment through the media jointly went to M-Net Cares and the Pretoria News.

Journalism awards – congratulations to the winners!

The winners in the National Press Club – North-West University Journalist of the Year awards were announced at the recent newsmaker event.

They are:
Print media – news: Poloko Tau – The Star
Print media – features: Mia Malan – Mail & Guardian
Print media – photography : Cornél van Heerden – Foto24
Electronic media – radio news: Gia Nicolaides – Eyewitness News
Electronic media – radio features: Mia Malan – Darren Taylor
Electronic media – TV news: Daniella du Plooy – E-Nuus
Electronic media – TV features: Amalia Christoforou – Carte Blanche
Electronic media – cameraperson: Thuthuka Zondi of etv
Media liaison officer: Panyaza Lesufi – Department of Basic Education
Editor: Katy Katopodis – Eyewitness News

For the first time in the history of the competition, the overall Journalist of the Year award went to a photographer, Cornél van Heerden of Foto24. Congratulations Cornél!

Dr Theuns Eloff, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the North-West University saluted the National Press Club to raise the bar when it comes to journalism standards. “Freedom of the media is one of the cornerstones of a democracy. If this award can assist in further improving the quality of journalism in our country, it will have served its purpose.”

The judges in this year’s competition were Gilbert Mokwatedi, Marion Scher, Morris Legoabe, Natalia Rosa, Peter Morey, Phil Mtimkulu, Pluto Panoussis, Tok Grobler and Tshamano Makhadi.

The results were independently reviewed by the press club’s auditing firm Nexia SAB&T.

Secrecy Bill must go to Concourt – SANEF

The Protection of State Information Bill was passed in the National Assembly on 25 April.

In a news release, the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) said that the vote followed changes suggested by the National Council of Provinces.

“Those changes have improved the proposed legislation in important ways, but they do not go far enough. The Bill still has the potential to be used as an instrument of secrecy in a democracy that can only thrive in a climate of openness,” the release says.

“President Jacob Zuma has the option to refer it to the Constitutional Court.

“That is an opportunity he must avail himself of. Members of parliament, too, can send the legislation for constitutional review before it becomes law.

“We have already seen how a process of public engagement has improved the Bill . A full review by the highest court in the land would significantly advance that process, and help to ensure that remaining concerns about its constitutionality are fully addressed.”

Sanef says it is ready to participate in such court process, and in the absence of a process initiated by parliament or the president will make application for a court review.

“This is important legislation which affects the most basic rights of all South Africans, and we can only benefit by ensuring that its final form complies rigorously with constitutional precepts.”

The National Press Club fully supports Sanef’s position on this issue and will lend its full support in any future attempts to stop the Bill from being signed into law.

National Order of the Baobab for Yusuf Abramjee

The National Press Club congratulates and salutes former chairperson Yusuf Abramjee on receiving the Order of the Baobab from President Jacob Zuma for his ‘excellent contribution in community development through Lead SA.’

The award is a National Order – the highest accolade that a country can bestow on a citizen or prominent foreigners.

The Order of the Baobab serves to represent ‘exceptional contribution, and is awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service that goes beyond the call of duty’.

The order takes its name from the baobab tree, which was chosen as a symbol because of its ‘endurance and tolerance, its vitality, its importance in agro-forestry systems, and its use as a meeting place in traditional African societies.’

Abramjee said he was “honoured and humbled” to be receiving the Order of Baobab, Silver.

“To be a recipient of a National Order is an overwhelming privilege and I wish to thank those who nominated me, and President Jacob Zuma and the government for bestowing this honour.

“It’s truly a blessing to be in a position to serve my country and its people. I am exceptionally proud of what we have achieved through Lead SA and Crime Line, especially the extraordinary citizens from all walks of life that it has revealed to us. This Order is a tribute to you all,” said Abramjee.

“Serving the community should become the rule, rather than the exception,” he said.

The previous recipients of the Order of the Baobab include the late former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Arthur Chaskalson, prominent academic Barney Pityana and renowned Venda artist Noria Mabasa.

Pipedream or reality?

The National Press Club hosted a conference titled ‘Free media reporting during African elections – pipedream or reality?’ on 11 April.

Nearly 50 representatives from media and electoral institutions from nine African countries attended the one day conference.

Speakers included senior officials from the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and senior representatives from various African media institutions. Among others, delegates were addressed by Terry Tselane, Vice Chairperson of the IEC, Raymond Louw of the Freedom of Expression Institute, Mark van der Velden of the South African National Editors’ Forum, Mosotho Moepya, CEO of the IEC and Michael Schmidt of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ).

Journalists participating included Waldimar Pelser, editor designate of Rapport, Mahlatse Gallens, senior producer at the SABC, Barry Bateman of Eyewitness News and Carien du Plessis of City Press.

In concluding the conference, the IAJ’s Michael Schmidt said the editorial policies of the media in South Africa needed urgent overhaul. He said media coverage of elections mostly concentrated on urban areas and he described the coverage of social issues during elections as dismal. He also referred to the gender issue and said 71 percent of all news items had a male-voice as spokesperson. He also called for more serious and in-depth election stories and not only coverage of the election campaigns.

Schmidt described the neutrality of the civil service during African elections as “challenging.” He welcomed the statement that the civil servants in South Africa wanted to build a wall between themselves and the political parties in the country.

See you at emBARgo

Members are reminded about happy hour at the press club bar emBARgo, every Friday from 17:00 to 19:00. The bar is in the cellar of the Orange Restaurant in the Court Classique Hotel, corner of Beckett and Francis Baard (previously Schoeman) Streets, Arcadia.

Thank you for paying membership fees

Thank you to those press club members who have already paid their membership fees for 2013.

Members who have not yet done so, are requested to pay their fees as soon as possible.

Membership fees are R220 for full members, R350 for associate members and R150 for student members.

Members are requested to use their invoice number as reference when payment is done, so that it can be picked up easily by the secretariat.

Feedback

Please send any news, suggestions or information for this newsletter to Martin van Niekerk at the secretariat on martin@junxionpr.co.za, 082 257 0305. Website | Facebook | Twitter