The Asian, a new weekly tabloid, has provoked a mixed response from journalists and academics alike, reports Jacquie Golding-Duffy
A NEW tabloid will soon hit the streets of Durban and other major cities as it makes what promises to be a grand but controversial entry into the print market.
The Asian, a new weekly newspaper aimed at “people with Asian origin”, will be launched in mid-April. But the newspaper is destined for a lukewarm response as journalists and academics criticise the concept of “ethnocentric journalism”. This, they argue, is when newspaper stables appear more keen on establishing niche markets based on race and culture than concentrating on good, responsible journalism.
Former journalist and political science lecturer at the University of Durban- Westville, Kiru Naidoo, argues that there is no place in the new democratic culture for journalism based along “Indocentric” lines.
“We should not be harking back to the past with its destructive model of journalism set in the apartheid period … We should be moving on and rising to the challenge of reporting in a manner that reflects the new structure of democracy and multi- culturism,” Naidoo says.
Some journalists have criticised another newspaper’s advertisement – The Daily News – on a large electronic billboard opposite Kings Park Stadium in Durban, which shouts: “The paper for the Indian community.”
One journalist, who refused to be named, cautioned that ethnocentricity was destructive for the quality of journalism, but The Asian owners argue that they are “merely taking advantage of an opportunity to provide quality news to a section of a community which would otherwise be neglected”.
The holding company of the newspaper, The Asian News Limited, an independent company, says it saw a “gap” in the market.
According to The Asian’s administrator, Malcolm Gallagher, the tabloid will be full colour and will appeal to the Indian community. “People in Durban are tired of reading the same old news and want something fresh,” he said, adding that The Asian promises to offer “hard-hitting news”.
Several journalists have been head-hunted and Gallagher believes the recruitment drive has been successful, with a 52-year- old veteran editor already waiting in the wings. He refused to provide any detail on who the editor or news editor will be, saying this will be announced closer to the time.
As for financial backing, Gallagher denied the possibility of any foreign backers, although speculation has been rife that money is being pumped in from abroad.
It is understood that the group which initiated the idea for an Indian tabloid includes local and foreign businessmen who enjoy substantial financial support from a company based in Dubai. It is believed that this company has several newspapers operating in the Middle East.
Lips were sealed on the start-up costs, rumoured to be tens of millions of rand, but Gallagher admits that the printing press set up in central Durban cost the group R3-million.
The newspaper will be printed in Cape Town and Johannesburg, he said, but refused to say which print stables secured the contracts for distribution. “It is not a lot of money involved in setting up a newspaper and all the funds are readily available. Money is not the issue when there is room in the market for such a newspaper,” he said.
Natal Newspapers managing director Ed Booth refused to comment; while Independent Newspapers editorial director Ivan Fallon was unavailable for comment.