WATCH: Media Matters presents media freedom week discussion on fake news

Media freedom is a key principle to a working democracy, thus the importance given to this year’s Media Freedom Week.

Media Monitoring Africa South Africa, an organisation aimed at monitoring media, hosted their second event, focused on credible media and the surge of fake news. The fitting venue, Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre in Forest Town, accommodated an esteemed panel of media experts on 24 October.

Facilitated by SABC and 702’s Bongani Bingwa, discussions were had with; Howard University (Washington, DC, United States) assistant Professor Jennifer Thomas, Mail & Guardian’s editor-in-chief Khadija Patel, Caxton Local Media editor and South Africa National Editors Forum (Sanef) member Chris Louw and SABC’s newly appointed head of news Phathiswa Magopeni.

Media Monitoring Africa SA’s director said, “Media and journalistic institutions should promote proper ethics and public awareness campaigns to help prevent sharing dodgy news.” Followed by Bingwa starting with perhaps the most important question, “How can people make fundamental decisions, if they can’t trust what they are told?”

Consumers can use media monitoring applications such as Know News or Rover (on Google Play), which facts checks stories for you before you share them on social media or trust them. Also, media organisations and journalists can be verified on Open and Disclose. For more details on further applications to detect dodgy news, visit www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/tools

Panel experts generally agreed with an unhealthy competition in newsrooms, in particular, the need to be first. “Consumers won’t remember who was first but they will remember who got it wrong,” said Magopeni. The sentiment was reiterated by Patel who conceded that journalism is about always rechecking facts as well as the need for good editors who manage all aspects of news gathering, especially evaluating source’s agendas.

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Louw suggested a concern for the types of discourses in our communities. “What we should be asking is, what kind of society do we want to be? It’s up to the readers and business to start the much-needed change.”

Evidence-based reporting was a hot topic. Former CNN journalist, Prof. Thomas recognised the difference between media in South Africa and the USA but emphasised the commonality. “We have ties in terms of our challenges. We need to fight the nay-sayers, those who don’t want to believe we are credible.”

Bongani ended with, “Journalism has never been so important. Yes, we get things wrong and yes, we should ask ourselves questions but good journalism still exists.”

For further Media Freedom Week events and media monitoring tools visit: www.mediamonitoringafrica.org
Dates:

• 24 October: SABC: On its way up or on its way out? Join us as we unpack this issue from experts both inside and outside the SABC.
  Where: Jesuit Institute South Africa, Auckland Park
  When: 6pm

• 25 October: #Elections2019 The bots are ready… Are you? Join us as we hear from experts to what we can expect next year and how best we can respond to some of these threats!
  Where: Google SA, Bryanston
  When: 6pm