Chequebook journalism?

Picture source: Politicsweb

Ashley Smith, formerly a Cape Argus Reporter has confessed to taking payments to write articles that cast then Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool in a favourable light. He says that he was to write articles that would promote Rasool and damage Mcebisi Skwatsha, his political rival in the province. Smith handed his confession to the National Prosecuting Authority, together with a request for indemnity against any criminal charges that might arise.

The Cape Argus, in a front-page editorial following Smith’s confession admit ” the allegations outlined by Smith make for grim reading. They suggest a conspiracy leading from the top office to the heart of the newspaper” Cape Argus and expain that it had begun a disciplinary inquiry against Smith when the al first surfaced in 2005, but that he had resigned before it could be completed.In its statement Cape Argus stressed that no corroborating evidnce had been found to confirm the allegations, despite its repeated requests for anyone with such evidence to come forward and that it had subsequently launched
its own investigations into the issue. Conceding that the newspaper had been been abused by both the journalists (who are no longer on the staff) and the politicians involved, Cape Argus stressed its commitment to pursue these and other allegations levelled against it and to publish its findings.

Needless to say this incident created a furore. The ANC noted its concern. Rasools opponents in the ANC - Lynne Brown, Mcebisi Skwatsha and Max Ozinsky announced that they were taking ega advice with a view to launching a defamation action against the Cape Argus who had effectively used taxpayers money to besmirch their reputations. SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande said that the incident raised questions about the credibility of the press, questioned the self-regulation by the media and and called for the issue of in independent media tribunal to be brought back onto the national agenda.

As more politicians add their voices to the call for a media tribunal we need to ask, what is at stake for the archive. Apart from the loss of our constitutional rights to freedom of expression and information we are at risk of losing the historic record, the dampening of debate, the restriction of the flow of information deemed by some to be ‘in the public interest’ and by others to cast an unwanted spotlight on the nefarious actions of those who hold power. It is a pity that the unscrupulous actions of a few have made the media vulnerable to attack at a point when it needs to muster all they strength it can in the fight for the survival of an independent voice.

I was bribed by Rasool - Argus reporter. SAPA 30 June 2010. Source Politicsweb

Ashley Smith: What the Cape Argus had to say. Cape Argus 30 June 2010. Source Politicsweb

ANC concerned about Rasool allegations. Statement by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, June 30 2010

The Cape Argus must account - Brown, Skwatsha & Ozinsky. Statement issued by Lynne brown, Mcebisis Skwatsha and Max Ozinsky, 4 Juy 2010

South Africa’s media on trial - Nzimande. Umsebenzi Online, 7 July 2010. Source Politicsweb

The media shoud regulate itself - DA. Statement issued by Lindiwe mazibuko, Democratic Alliance national spokesperson, 7 Juy 2010.Source Politicsweb

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