The article Drug scare outside local preschool, published on 8 October on the News’ website raised great concern for all the wrong reasons.
Comments were left on the News’ Facebook page about the News’ credibility as a premium news service provider in Krugersdorp.
As the editor I believe the News team should be allowed to respond to those questioning the accuracy of this particular article, which states that a local preschool’s staff called the police after finding a suspicious bag that turned out to contain drug paraphernalia.
Yes, the initial headline of the article was misleading, but as information became available it was changed accordingly. All relevant parties verified everything else journalist Marizka Coetzer wrote as factually correct. The News considered the matter dealt with appropriately.
However, on Facebook some readers continue to voice their opinions about the News’ professional credibility, going as far as directing vulgar language at the News and its journalist. Our ethics and intellect are being questioned, and some are doing their utmost to tarnish the News’ image by pulling us to pieces.
Please take note of the following pertaining to the article and the comments on Facebook:
• First and foremost, when a journalist writes any article, all facts have to be checked and verified. When new information proves a fact or statement to be inaccurate, the News amends it accordingly.
• None of the names of any of the preschools situated on Voortrekker Road was mentioned in the article. If any names were mentioned, it was not done by the News.
• The owner of the preschool close to where the bag was discovered was contacted for the purposes of writing a detailed follow-up report about the incident, however, the person chose not to be named and spoke to the News off the record.
• Even though the owner chose to remain anonymous, the News was prepared to publish a follow-up report about crime prevention relating to drug abuse since it has become such a hot topic in Krugersdorp.
• The News publishes articles like these as a service to keep the community informed about everything related to their safety, especially as far as children are concerned.
• When people decide to use our Facebook page as platform to voice their opinion they also should be aware of the consequences when verbally abusing or slandering a person, business or organisation.
Many readers, including the pre-school owner, demanded that News printed an apology and retraction; however, we believe all the News team is ‘guilty’ of is informing our readers of what is happening in their immediate community.
We as a group decided to issue this explanation. We as the News would like to emphasise to our readers that we always strive to produce excellent-quality content and that we always welcome friendly, fair and constructive criticism. We are not blind to our faults and will apologise when we have wronged our community.
Please join in on this discussion and give your comment on the matter as we value your opinion.
To our loyal readers, thank you for taking the time to read our articles and give credit where it is due.
