NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE MEDIA

OPINION: By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Managing Editor)

In a recent interview with a news source, I came across a not so unexpected question, given the soaring levels of unemployment and poverty in our country.

 “If you interview me are you going to pay me, how is your writing a story about me help me?”, my source asked.

I had heard this question a million times before but this time I felt a need to inform our readers about why they should use the media without expecting payment.

Media laws discourage payment of sources by journalists in exchange for information. It is called chequebook journalism and is said to be potentially corrupting as it may encourage embellishment of information.

Not all media only care about getting the story and publishing. In my career as a journalists I have enabled many people to exercise their rights, obtain what they are entitled to, stand up to those who repress them, get their message across, etc. through the articles that I have written.

We may be portrayed as gossip hungry idiots who chorus a hundred questions at the same time on movies but it is our responsibility to not only inform, educate, and empower citizens but also be the voice for the voiceless.

We have the power to hold authorities accountable, and we write to raise awareness to decision makers about social ills affecting our communities.

I have seen many people in the media getting help by good Samaritans out there after their stories have been published in the media.

No one would know that young boys were dying in initiation schools in the Eastern Cape because of inexperienced facilitators if it was not for the media. Presently interventions have been made and initiation schools are being registered and proper medical treatment provided.

The first incidence of HIV in South Africa was recorded by the media and when the country was fighting racial discrimination in the 80's many journalists dogged bullets in their quest to expose the truth, see where we are now.

So if the media cannot pay you for your comment, opinion or observation, trust them to, at least give you a voice, take your message straight to the intended recipient and possibly invoke reaction.