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Ethics and excuses: the scapegoating of Vusi Mona Guy Berger September 2004
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Abstract: Vusi Mona – epitomy of sins Cavalier Hypocritical Prejudiced Personal agenda Amateurish Dishonest Violated confidentiality Had conflict of interests
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Abstract Media avoided self-questioning about similar problems, deeper issues. To do with ethics and therefore about choices made and decisions taken. Confirming that media is unwilling and unable to crit itself?
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1. INTRO: where it begins Ngcuka investigates Zuma and Maharaj Mona’s City Press publishes spy allegations against Ngcuka
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Story develops… Mbeki appoints Hefer Inquiry
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Outcomes Hefer exonerates Ngcuka, exposes Mona as problematic Sanef condemns Mona.
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Sanef seal of condemnation Shocked, worried on Mona breaking confidentiality Distance selves from any journalist testifying We can’t compromise credibility Vusi Mona has breached ethical code Henry Jeffreys, Sanef Chair
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Others too…
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3 issues test journ ethics Motives Confidential briefings Testifying Choices decisions sad chapter
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2. MOTIVES & AGENDAS
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Media actors & players Not all players shimmering halo But all except Mona unscathed: Ranjeni Munusamy Vusi Mona & City Press team Mathatha Tsedu & Sunday Times The Star e.tv and others?
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2.1 Munusamy’s motives Strong step to give story to CP:
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Munusamy’s motives More than journalistic rationale? She denies unconvincingly.
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How others saw her
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2.2 Suspicions re: Tsedu Tsedu & Sunday Times: Close to/influenced?
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2.3 Mona’s morality Mona & City Press team:
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Disgust with Ngcuka?
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Disgust?
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Simple fairness?
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Or another personal motive?
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Revenge against Ngcuka?
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Distinguish two issues Mona – revenge in regard to: Breaking confidence of briefing Publishing the story.
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Fight back, plots thicken Mona accuses The Star of agendas
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Other factors … Mona – simply competitive? His colleagues favoured publication
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Significance Mona got the blame, but whole drama and its cast led to: Qtns of e.tv and others’ motives = discrediting of media for agendas? = boosts conspiracy theorists re: media? This issue underplayed in media
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3. CONFIDENTIAL BRIEF Independence is one issue; Who takes part is another; Keeping to commitment Theorising exceptions Expediency on OTR interpretation
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Independence Participants shd keep perspective: BUT: both Mona & Tsedu wrote favourable editorials afterwards.
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Handpicked division All 7 editors condoned selectivity.
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Leaking Others published: Gleason, Mbhele Mona alone was judged (as a journo)
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Other issues Media silence on secrecy ethics vs externalities like Constitutional rights and public interest. Off-the-record expediently interpreted by Tsedu, Rantao
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But only Mona takes the rap
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4. TESTIFYING Historical principle: we don’t testify.
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Double standards Mona judged for violating this, but Munusamy encouraged to violate it! Mona judged as journalist, Munusamy exempted as non-journo. Irony: Mona baulks on sources.
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“Heresies” galore Poor exploration of possible precedent.
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5. MEDIA DISCOURSE: Mona “rat” was an easy target: doublespeak contradictions sloppy Happy using Niewoudt as a source devious extemporising inconsistent conflict-of-interest inept elusive
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Scapegoat Problem was not hitting him, but eclipsing a broader malaise.
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Made to admit his sins
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Sweeping statements
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His impact is exaggerated
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The individual exception … i.e Media innocent, just tarnished
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And so he went
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CONCLUSION Motives of Mona … and the others Confidential Briefing – a host of problems and questions Testifying in Commission …inconsistent responses, lack of interrogation of precedents. Discourse of institutional innocence.
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Taking stock Mona got what he deserved But lack of wider soul-searching Result: Dubious journalism unaddressed Problem children rehabilitated
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Political significance No discussion on media’s role in fierce political battles and what Hefer experience portends for futures.
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Online at: http://journ.ru.ac.za/guy THANK YOU http://journ.ru.ac.za/guy
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