Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth
description
Transcript of Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth
![Page 1: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Relations between the Media and
State structures on communication issues
and prospects for the digital future
Guy Berger, Rhodes University
“Connecting with the media, 2008”
5 September, Port Elizabeth
![Page 2: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Media and state
![Page 3: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
South Africa - still a new kid on the block, in an age of:
GlobalisationGlobalisation New technologyNew technology
The Information SocietyThe Information Society
![Page 4: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Shiny constitution
Free speechFree speech Free pressFree press Freedom of infoFreedom of info
![Page 5: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
But: suspicion, aggro
![Page 6: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Uncertainty of new government
![Page 7: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
This is how many ingovernment
see the media
![Page 8: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
A Grahamstown story of a failed attempt to
chow the press
![Page 9: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Makana’s ad boycott violated: • 4 clauses in the constitution, • 2 laws on municipalities, and • Promotion of Admin Justice Act.
![Page 10: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
• It’s not only state-media
•We have to remember the people watching us both.
![Page 11: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Theydon’twant
to seeoppspass
SouthAfrica
by
![Page 12: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
We all need to rise above our differences…
![Page 13: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Partnerships are critical in the
Information society:
Reflect that:Reflect that: Info = Info = thethe means of means of
production production Growing sector of workforce Growing sector of workforce
![Page 14: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
In search of better relations, don’t bark up the wrong tree…
![Page 15: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Editors dialoging with police
![Page 16: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Building info-
flows through Standing Order
156
![Page 17: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Any SAPS member can talk to the media :
Within expertise or Within expertise or responsibility;responsibility;
Without jeopardising Without jeopardising police work;police work;
Not on bank robberies, Not on bank robberies, victims, suspectsvictims, suspects, , court cases, wanted court cases, wanted persons and suicides.persons and suicides.
![Page 18: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Filtering is limited: Requests for info Requests for info
on national on national investigations, investigations, statistics, crime statistics, crime trends, and trends, and national political national political figures referred figures referred upwards.upwards. General ResultGeneral Result: on all else, media : on all else, media
can get concrete details and can get concrete details and colour colour direct from sourcedirect from source, doing , doing better journalism.better journalism.
![Page 19: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Ethics: Police are
•Not to exercise favouritism by giving news to one medium and not another.• Discouraged from giving confidential briefings.
•To keep confidentiality on journalists’ exclusive requests for information.
![Page 20: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
And they need to upskill:
Eg. www.impacs.orgEg. www.impacs.org
DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS SKILLSSKILLS
Municipalities need to develop similar
protocols to SAPS
![Page 21: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Great media liaison…
1. Be Available!1. Be Available! 2. Be Prepared!2. Be Prepared! 3. Feed the beast!3. Feed the beast!
![Page 22: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Three principles…1.1. If you don’t know an answer, If you don’t know an answer,
never lie or make it up.never lie or make it up.
2.2. Tell the reporter you’ll get Tell the reporter you’ll get right back to them with the right back to them with the info they want, and do so!info they want, and do so!
3.3. Or, give the reporter a contact Or, give the reporter a contact who does know the answer. who does know the answer.
![Page 23: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
No one can make good news out of bad
practice
Remember…Remember…
![Page 24: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Listen .. Don’t only seek to speak
![Page 25: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
If you are wronged…1.1. Ask for a correction Ask for a correction
2.2. Ask for the editor or Ask for the editor or producerproducer
3.3. Escalate to Press Escalate to Press ombudsman or the BCCSAombudsman or the BCCSA
4.4. Consider legal action Consider legal action
![Page 26: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Also: output your info through other channels
• speeches
• briefings, reports
• in interviews
• govt media
• on Internet
![Page 27: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Combat a culture of secrecy:
Many officials Many officials treat the treat the information they information they hold as their hold as their private property, private property, not even not even that of their that of their departmentdepartment
![Page 28: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
A logistical challenge: Under apartheid, probably Under apartheid, probably
90% of information was 90% of information was controlled. controlled.
In a democracy, 90% is In a democracy, 90% is theoretically available. theoretically available.
How can this become How can this become practically available?practically available?
![Page 29: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Availability of govt info
80% unrestricted
10% restricted
10% unrestricted & available
![Page 30: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Value of information:
The 10% distributed often has The 10% distributed often has lower value to citizens than lower value to citizens than the other 80%. Why?the other 80%. Why?
Information distributed widely, Information distributed widely, must have general appeal. must have general appeal.
Other 80% of info has more Other 80% of info has more value, because it is more value, because it is more specific.specific.
![Page 31: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
When a new
tech comes
along
…things
change
![Page 32: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Is new media catching us napping?
![Page 33: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Summing up Two sides need each other.Two sides need each other. State-side has a major role to play State-side has a major role to play
in realising free flow of info.in realising free flow of info. State-side can strengthen itself State-side can strengthen itself
with basic comms training.with basic comms training. And by e-governance big time!And by e-governance big time!
![Page 34: Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070405/56813d27550346895da6eab3/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Towards the golden age?