Dramatic changes are coming to newsrooms across Africa
The pandemic could deliver a crippling blow to media houses across the continent
Journalism
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Our job is to help give you the information we all need to participate in building this country, while holding those in power to account. But now the power to help us keep doing that is in your hands
Gamechangers: The morphing landscape of South Africa’s media
Two books on two media outlets, Daily Maverick and Independent newspapers, tell stories of success and failure
Shaun Johnson: Charm without the smarm
The Weekly Mail hired him to get the training project off the ground; he did much, much more than that, writes Irwin Manoim
Educators: Watch your words – they can inspire or deflate
In matric my friends and I got into trouble and were called into the principal’s office to be reprimanded. I do not remember most of what the principal said during the tongue-lashing. But I do remember her saying: “You will not amount to anything in life.” A group of teenagers got into some silly mischief […]
Kobe Bryant wrote his own legacy
Few athletes have the penchant for storytelling that the Lakers legend had for much of his life
Botswana’s media is in crisis
COMMENT We live in a divided political environment and amid radical economic disparities. But there is one thing on which virtually everyone in Botswana agrees: most of the news and information we are fed is biased. There are constant complaints about bias, from readers and politicians alike. These complaints are not groundless. As director of […]
A year in the life of the M&G
Editor-in-chief, Khadija Patel, writes about the year that was, what we reported and why we reported on it
The digital breadcrumbs behind the M&G’s censorship attack
From the US to Cameroon, from SA to South Sudan to Spain. Tracking down the people trying to take our site down took us all over the internet
We should not weaponise mental illness
The case of Roxanne Joseph lays bare society’s inconsistencies about who deserves our empathy
Who decides who is eligible for forgiveness and rehabilitation?
We should give people second chances. But we need to reflect on whether a black or brown person would survive a fake cancer scandal
What we do is important. Trust us
Given attacks against media and important questions being raised about our work, we need to be open about why we do what we do
Government spokespeople have a crucial role to play in facilitating communication
Those tasked with communicating on behalf of the government would do well to engage in some introspection regarding the purpose of their job
EDITORIAL: State’s empty-headed PR
When journalists send questions to government spokespersons, they do not do so because they are bored and have nothing to do
Editorial: Our dishonesty harms journalism
We must confront our failings and be better
The pushy tout’s guide to Marrakech
The Marrakech that tourists are shown is a very different place from the city that locals live in
The biggest mess ever broadcast
The fight for press freedom and against Hlaudi’s antics is documented by one of the SABC8
South Sudan’s independent media under pressure
Eight years after independence, South Sudan still struggles to address media challenges. Independent journalists continue to fear for their freedom
Donor-funded journalism is on the rise in Africa: why it needs closer scrutiny
Western aid has resulted in an Anglo-American culture of journalism education which has proved impractical to implement in African countries
EDITORIAL: Journalism is the antidote to state capture
The news media was a counterweight to a criminal enterprise that had captured the state
Controversy overshadows annual State of the Newsroom report
Journalists overwhelmed, underpaid, abused and not supported says newsroom report
Head’s journalism eclipsed
The acclaimed author’s newspaper articles should have been given critical attention too
Editorial: EFF must expect scrutiny
‘The EFF is free to answer, or not answer, the M&G’s questions’
Online site a new model for journalism
The Africa Is a Country website offers a rich mix of news, comment and analysis about the continent
Editorial: Help defend the free press
‘Media ownership is becoming increasingly politicised, further undermining the independence of major broadcasters and titles’
Digital pioneer whose kindness stood out
Matthew Buckland, 1974-2019
Digital pioneer Matthew Buckland dies
Digital news entrepreneur Matthew Buckland has died at age 45
Cyberattacks on female journalists threaten everyone
The threats are not only to the individuals but also to democracy and freedom of news media
Rights violated ahead of poll in Mozambique
The lead-up to the election has been characterised by disturbing developments in Cabo Delgado province in the north
How foreign aid fuels African media’s payola problem
In many African countries, a dirty secret of journalism is that reporters earn most of their income from payments by their sources
Fake news: Censorship’s no solution
The public, not private companies or governments, should limit dangerous digital deception
Japan stops journalist going to Yemen
The decision came amid debate in Japan about whether journalists should be prevented from going to war zones