The psychological effect of reality television shows on contestants will come under renewed scrutiny after it emerged that a 17-year-old girl who apparently committed suicide at the weekend was soon to appear on-screen in a series filmed in Australia called The Colony.
A special United Nations envoy is to visit Zimbabwe this week to assess the country’s critical food situation. It is not clear what reception James Morris, director of the World Food Programme will get from the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, who curtailed UN food distribution last year.
While the media may love a good sports crisis, there is local legislation that can avert the explosion before it begins. Greg Hamburger looks at an under-utilised act that places sporting interests before sporting debacles.
In a media universe increasingly dominated by sensationalism, scandal and smut, some big South African radio news and talk brands are finding success in "old school" news values. Kim Novick looks at a sector that gets real-world results.
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There are some clever theories explaining the modern world’s fascination with sport, but they don’t really matter to the broadcasters’ bankable captive audience -the fans. Andy Davis asks SA’s sports TV bosses how they cover their massive rights costs.
News and sport don’t really mix in the new South Africa, argues Graeme Addison. Politics, corruption, crime and uneasy questions are ruled out of sports coverage because that would spoil the game.
The agony and the ecstasy. The "pitch" and the constant "evaluations". It makes Harry Herber wanna come back in his next life as a client.
Writer of this month’s lead article Andy Davis sent through a biting piece of American cultural satire for possible inclusion alongside his story. It’s called "Message From Our Sponsor", by Jello Biafria.
Winner of the Steve Biko Memorial Award Mbuyisi Mgibisa argues that many South African community radio stations are neglecting their public role, with a number of journalists doubling as sales reps and marketers.