Ombudsman
latest news & developmentsTax ombud’s office matures with time
Despite the early difficulties between the tax ombud and the South African Revenue Service, the parties are now finding ways to resolve their problems
AfriForum says fake HuffPost blog could see white men pulled out of voting queues
A fake blog post proposing that white men be stripped of their voting and property rights “might be landing a blow among many other blows”.
Every varsity should have an ombud
Transformation in higher education is vital, but a neutral arbiter is required to ensure fairness.
Alarm raised by ship’s cats still resonates
Journalists must be ever aware of the need for fairness and accuracy, but regulation is anathema.
Public sentiment is a poor gauge of the need for balance
In the small space between generally accepted truths and contentious issues, editors need sufficient critical distance.
Ombudsman: Reason can demand use of shocking images
If publishing a shocking image can do something to cut through the smugness, then it is worth some offence and discomfort.
M&G left the door wide open for critics
The newspaper erred in turning a suggestion made at an ANC workshop into a party decision.
Let’s dismount from objectivity’s high horse and start talking
A journalism of conversation is a responsibility to the quality and inclusiveness of the debates that ripple across society.
The perpetuity of online journalism
The biggest challenge of an online presence is that material on the web remains there forever.
Was evidence of ‘romantic’ link sufficient?
When the facts are scarce, a sceptical reader must be persuaded that the inferences made are sound.
Net privacy not just about ?’forgetting’
Do requests to delete data lead to an ‘internet with borders’? Ombud Franz Krüger explores.
Ngoepe appointed as new tax ombudsman
Retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe said during his appointment as SA’s new tax ombudsmad that he would like to create confidence with the public.
Do not lose sight of the issue when reporting on a dispute
A few weeks ago the Mail & Guardian published a report that put Minister of Finance Gordhan in a bad light. Some important elements were left out.
Risky precedent may allow the state to press-gang journalists
Journalists usually resist attempts by the authorities to extract information from them that can be used to prosecute crimes.
Visiting ombud shares tips on protecting the SA public
While the public protector’s recommendations are not always heeded by the state, her Canadian counterpart says such reports are never ignored there.