Is the 大象传媒 'racist'?
| 15:29 UK time, Tuesday, 20 February 2007
The ANC - South Africa's ruling party - has accused the 大象传媒 of being racist for reporting the country's crime problem (more details ).
The truth, as ever, is a touch more complicated. Its has criticised a report by World Affairs Editor John Simpson, which ran on the eve of President Thabo Mbeki's "State of the Union" address. Curiously the article says we didn't mention urban renewal or real estate investment, instead choosing to focus on the country's 50 murders a day.
It's true.
But a few months ago, following the World Cup in Germany, Africa Correspondent Orla Guerin reported on the economic growth taking place ahead of the 2010 tournament, to be held in South Africa. Her colleague Peter Biles recently reported on Johannesburg's inner-city regeneration for "Africa Works" for the 大象传媒 World Service - the clue is in the title; it was a landmark series reflecting the successes of the continent.
John Simpson and his team spent five days gathering material in Johannesburg and Soweto. In the opening lines of his report, John Simpson made clear that the modern South Africa is a thriving optimistic society; he used the findings of opinion polls which suggest that despite the high levels of crime and AIDS, there's optimism that the problems can be solved; he filmed at a Soweto school where pupils are ambitious and optimistic, despite the problems they face. The opening lines of his piece say that some of the gleaming skyscrapers in downtown Johannesburg were empty. The green glass Garden Court Hotel which appears on screen when the line is delivered, is empty; so too is the Carlton Hotel, which an official web-site describes as 'mothballed' waiting re-development.
We wanted to put some of the points to the government - we asked for the opportunity to do so. Unfortunately, no-one was made available for interview.
The ANC newsletter says the - South Africa's national broadcaster - "would have absolutely no problem" focusing on the particular areas of London where crime is a big issue. Nor would the 大象传媒. Indeed in the last week, we've broadcast a number of pieces on gun-crime in South London and beyond. But there's no question that crime is a real issue in South Africa. John Simpson's report touched a raw nerve - but to liken the 大象传媒's report to "the most die-hard racists in the country" is absurd.
We're proud to be part of the modern South Africa - our bureau chief in Johannesburg was brought up in Soweto, and is South African himself. In the United States, on the eve of the President's address to Congress, we explored the State of the Union - similarly in the UK at the State Opening of Parliament. It is surely right that we subject South Africa to the same sort of scrutiny as we do Britain and the United States. It's not racism - but the sign of a modern, vibrant, successful democracy.
Judge for yourself by clicking here.
Comments
Attacks from the left of me, Attacks from the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
大象传媒 has become more and more raciest in its reporting in recent years. Its reporting on South Africa or any part of Africa often is biased with intent to scare of investors, destablize the continent and creat termoil. Let me ask you a fair question. When South Africa just turned free, who took the cash out of the country and how? How is the cash being taken out of the country today. Who are those who are helping those who are moving the money out of the country? what do not you report something along such facts. You could not. You will not. We all know why too. When I was young in late 60's and 70's you were the cream of the news crop. Today; well I am not sure what you are.
Unbelieveable. I never expected anything like this from 大象传媒. By taking the subject of urban crime in South Africa out of the context of urban crime around the world, out of historical perspective, out of the regional problems of Africa and the large number of immigrants, 大象传媒 has managed to present a very distorted report which leaves the viewer with the notion that there is somehow something special about the crime problem in this place and at this time when in truth it is hardly any different than it is in many non African places all over the world such as in South America and Russia. Where are your comparable reports about violent crime all over white Europe? The segment on Soweto was the most disgustingly patronizing television I've seen in a long time. Show this on American television where there are a large number of African American viewers and it will be equally condemned. Small wonder the South African government didn't want its representatives to be interviewed by 大象传媒. They knew it would be the same kind of confrontational interview 大象传媒 conducts with others it really wants to debate. Even if the numbers aren't quite the same, in substance it seems to me there is at least as much to report about violent crime right in 大象传媒's own backyard.
It is not racist to report crime and rape in any country. The south African government is touchy and does not want to admit that Aids is rife, crime is rampant and violence is a way of life.
The government would be better off addressing the social problems of the country rather than hurling accusations at the messenger.
"Sweep it under the carpet and forget it" is the motto of many third world countries. South Africa is no exception.
I thought that with the Truth Commission, South Africa did not want to dwell on the past nor play the role of the victim and instead look forward.
Seems that a few people haven't gotten the message yet.
The notion that you feel the need to defend your report by listing all the times that you have recently reported on positive developments in South Africa and that your bureau chief is from Soweto is in and of itself condescending to South Africans. If the story was newsworthy, then it is irrelavant what else you published. If it was not newsworthy, then you have a bigger problem.
The 大象传媒 is not being racist by honestly reporting the facts at hand.
The South African government's comments are an attempt at imposing political correctness by playing the Race Card.
I know. We see it all the time here in the United States. If all else fails, play the Race Card. And that's exactly what has happened this time.
In the US media, we cannot read much about much of the turmoil that takes place in Africa, particularly black Africa, such as Zimbabwe or South Africa. Why? It's not politically correct, and there's hardly anything that makes commercial news media nervous than to be declared racist.
How often do we hear blacks accusing other blacks as racist?
Hi Jon,
I myself am a South African - born in Johannesburg, currently studying journalism in the Eastern Cape. You're right- crime is a fact of life on this side. Jo'burg is not a friendly town to live in, and while working for a newspaper there one of our colleagues was murdered on the side of a major highway. I think it's ridiculous that ANC could slate the 大象传媒 as racist for reporting the blatant crime we have to deal with everyday - it doesn't make a difference whether the government is white or black or green. With the kind of poverty and destitution that is rife is South Africa, it鈥檚 almost obvious that we鈥檇 have such a crime rate. The situation is desperate for many people- no matter what race they may be. I鈥檓 glad the 大象传媒 has taken the time to report on this crisis - our government doesn鈥檛 seem to recognise the seriousness of the matter.
As for South African optimism, I think it鈥檚 often lacking, and many South Africans immigrate at the first sign of trouble - you can鈥檛 really blame them though. I feel the country has a lot to offer however, but it takes time to heal the wounds left behind from our past - even if it has been 13 years.
From my own experience I have personally found the 大象传媒 (maybe it used to stand for British Bigotry Company) to be a racist bunch, how you ask? Well for example posting or allowing audience discussions like 鈥淚s there a problem with young black men鈥 like we are the only ones with problems or even worst 鈥渨hy do black people do crime鈥 like black people are the only ones that do crime, I don鈥檛 go around saying 鈥渨hy do whites insist on disturbing world peace by constantly engaging in war fare (WW1 WW2, Vietnam, Iraq, all perpetrated by majority white, the list is virtually endless)
So yes those who work at senior levels in the 大象传媒 and there accomplishes, are all racist
I don't think the 大象传媒 is being racist in reporting the truth about crime in SA.
Now they are reporting the truth about the land grab by the government that seems to follow the theory that only blacks can own land on the African Continent because blacks were there before whites arrived.
Tutu is right, the whole country of SA has lost its way just like the rest of Africa. They have simply traded one evil for a home grown version of their own.
How can an entire continent with the richest resources on earth be just a collection of Third World counties?
Of course you're not racist. It's just another attempt by a group of individuals with power to stifle an unpleasant truth. - Peter, Canberra
Good on you! If the South African Broadcasting Corporation wrote an article on crime in London after the queen spoke in Parliament, we wouldn't call that racist. We would call it eye-opening. But now, when the 大象传媒 writes an article on crime in Johannesburg after a similar profile address in South Africa, it's called racist. That's a poster child for double standards, and it's constructive to nobody.
I'm afraid, this just highlights a prevalent ignorance on the part of the ANC, an ignorance that is by no means confined to them or the South African political system however.
Contemporary society is littered with examples of people mis-using and misinterpreting 'buzz words' like 'racism', 'sexism' and the like. I put this down to the world's new obsession - Political Correctness (gone mad). To say Mr Simpson's report is one compiled via racist beliefs or tendencies or that it represents any institutional racism on the part of the 大象传媒 or Britain is clearly a most gross and unwarranted over-reaction.
As has already been stated, the 大象传媒 has made recent reports concerning positive aspects of modern day South African society, i wonder if the ANC had any qualms concerning these articles? As a professional News Organisation, 大象传媒 News endeavours to bring about balanced arguments and unbiased reporting, any claim to the contrary is not only unwarranted but ignorant in the extreme.
I do not think the 大象传媒 is being racist.Murder should always be reported or things will never change.The news in Minnesota is always reporting the murders in the area it makes news and people wach it.I would say the problem is they always show the murderd and not the person who commited it.
It's time the world realises what an incompetent bunch of leaders the ANC are, and the minute they get criticised for their inadequecies or rampant corruption amongst party and government officials, they play the age old race card. Grow up and lose the chip on your shoulders. Start doing what you're getting paid to do.
I'm just one of millions of disgruntled South African citizens, planning on leaving Zimbabwe II. The World Cup in 2010 is going to be paradise for criminals and a nightmare for soccer fans. People are being murdered at an unprecedented scale, and when concerned tax paying citizens have something to say about it, the race card gets pulled or we're told to leave.
Bravo to the 大象传媒 for finally having the balls to tell the truth.
No country is perfect. All societies are works in progress, and no nation will ever be perfect.
It is easy to discuss our successes and achievements but much harder to touch on our drawbacks and problems. Nevertheless, in order to fulfill its true potential, a country must be ready to face its demons and deal with them in all their ugliness.
If we attempt to silence voices that aim to draw attention to valid issues, we are opening a Pandora's box of censorship that will lead us into a spiral of self-betrayal. And that is the greatest and most treacherous demon of all.
It has been said that the best for of defence is 鈥榓ttack鈥.
Personally I feel that Arica as a whole has tried to confuse racism as only white on black when actually it applies both ways.
I hear too many times Africa making reference to the colonials and their dislike for us.
With the state of South Africa having serious skills shortage one would think that they would change the employment regulations that clearly state 鈥減ositions can only be offered to a black candidate鈥. Is this not racism? Beyond the racial prefferencing how can such conditions contribute to the solution to the problem?
My personal opinion is that South Africa has been governed by the ANC for 13 years now and it time to implement solutions.
With reference to the crime, the 鈥減eople鈥 of South Africa have been crying out to get some solutions in-place. It is obvious the 鈥減eople鈥 recognise the problem. Just look at any of the discussion forums on the topic of South Africa, crime is without a doubt a huge problem.
We are just one example of a family that dis-invested (taking our much needed skills) in South Africa, firstly, due to the high levels of 鈥渧iolent鈥 crime and second, due to many government policies that are ultimately racial.
South Africa has vast opportunities but inverting the old 鈥渁partheid鈥 regime to balance the past is not the way forward.
鈥淭ime heals鈥 they say and also 鈥渢ime will tell鈥 but how much time is my question.
Cheers.
Well for me as person who lived in South Africa for the last ten years the biggest crime the government of South Africa is doing is just trying to build the people whom have been destroyed for the last three handed years.
This is the country that any one who cam here, and went to the Kruger National Park
Saw and will agree that with out doubt animals been treated faire well ten times than a humans. And all that was done by white people.
Currently South Africa is the only African country that is trying to be like any emerging nation around the world, and very few Europeans would like that to happen.
So don鈥檛 get confuse if you see so many white people talking about crime in South Africa even some of them created their own websites, what for? We just want tell the truth about the level of crime in South Africa!
Here is a website that also try to show the countries that have high level of crime in the world but South Africa isn鈥檛 on the top ten, in the same time I don鈥檛 know if this has been own or control by the ANC or the South African government, you go and found out by your self.
Thank you
If anything, the 大象传媒 and other news organizations have done their best to sugarcoat the situation in South Africa. It is clear to all South Africans, black or white, that there are major problems facing the country and obviously crime and AIDs are at the top of the list. Instead of admitting and adressing these concerns it seems he ANC has now resorted to Robert Mugabe's old tactic of simply dismissing any criticism of their regime as 'racism'. This is a sad development.
Unsurpising that the ANC (with its Marxist heritage) would attack reporting of objective fact as contrary to the national interest or racist. The RSA is among the most violent nations in the world (a higher homicide rate than the US and much higher than the UK) and, in fact, the reporting on the RSA is, if anything, too generous.
Has any news agency reported, for example, on the crime rate pre- and post-Apartheid? Do we know what that comparison is to see if the ANC has actually managed the country well? What about the state of infrastructure and government services pre- and post-Apartheid? And why is there seemingly no coverage of the RSA's utter lack of leadership on the African continent? Whether it is acting as apologist for Bob Mugabe (who even the RSA's communist trade unions oppose) or providing military support for peacekeeping in various conflicts, the RSA, despite having the largest economy and inheriting the strongest military, is entirely absent, leaving such duties to much poorer countries like Uganda.
No, the 大象传媒's coverage is not racist for reporting truths inconvenient to the propaganda of the "New South Africa." If anything, the news media are inadequate in critical reporting of the RSA.
The Simpson piece was, in my opinion, well balanced and fair. The ANC reaction is, unfortunately, typical of their approach to criticism. They are quick to cry "racism" when their own ineptitude or corruption are exposed.
To say 大象传媒 is racist is something I am not sure of. But I find the programme to be too bent on giving a bad picture of Johannesburg. I wonder why you failed to mention the statistics about how many people moved out or indeed how many of those buildings have been abandoned. Since you were on camera, why not zoom in on one of those vacant ones. The story about Soweto too is largely negative. Most of the footage was on Hillbrow and Soweto. Why? Your presenter deliberately brings in Zimbabwe in the conversation-the usual style you 大象传媒 has against Zimbabwe. I am sure you could have done better.
It is very sad when reporting the news is considered racist.It shows that people are aware of the problems that they have but would rather hide them by ignoring them.
How many times we see human beings behave in the same way,when a relative or a friend has alcohol or drug or other problems of addiction, we deny the existance of the problem. Even worst when we have the problem and we decide to deny it.
South Africa was born with great hope that could be different from the rest of Africa, that could really"make it". Denying their problems will not help them to become a civilized nation
Thanks to that 大象传媒 video and 大象传媒 News report President Mbeki has woken up. He appears in a very bad light defending the SA situation by ignoring the crime statistics. Perhaps it will take as long as it took to bring it to his notice as it did with the HIV statistics.
It is particularly important that the Govt clean up their act before the 2010 World Cup. With all the investment in tourism, he needs to pay special attention to bringing down the crime statistics.
It was in the news that Mbeki is building a wall around his own house at the cost of R 90 000 000,00! Is is not to protect himself? If there is no crime, why the need for this expensive wall?
I love South Africa even though my grandfather was murdered for R200 - the thieves probably expected more since it was close to pay day. The energy and the attitude of the people is beautiful and invigorating. Why are other developing countries like China and India galloping ahead when South Africa cannot attract investment? Its the crime and the lack of skills. First world countries steal the well trained doctors and engineers and do not give enough back to this very special place. The rest of the world mobilized to end apartheid, now they should continue the spirit of ubuntu and repay the debt of stolen skilled workers with education for other South Africans.
It was in the news that Mbeki is building a wall around his own house at the cost of R 90 000 000,00! Is is not to protect himself? If there is no crime, why the need for this expensive wall?
"Is the 大象传媒 'racist'?"
Yes, inherently, but not obnoxiously.
--Norwell, Massachusetts, USA
SA's leaders cannot have it both ways. If they want to be treated like any other leaders of democratic states, they cannot shirk responsibility for glaring policy failures. The most valid criticism often comes from outside.
Growing up in South Africa I too was conditioned to look at the politics of the country through brainwashed eyes. I have since lived in the US, Australia, back in SA (for 8 years) and now back in the US. Since I did not see the program under discussion, I will not comment on that.
What I do know is that all you need to do is ask a South Africa - black or white - whether they know anyone first-hand who was murdered, hijacked, had a car stolen, was burgled or faced an armed robbery. Then sit back and listen to the response. I am not speaking about a friend whose friend's friend's neighbour had some such experience. Most South Africans you speak to will testify to personal experiences.
When we left SA the last time and moved to Australia, it must have taken me months before I slept through the night without the urge to investigate the slightest sound, or get into a car an not instinctively lock the doors.
One other story: My South African friend and I were visiting Australia before we both moved and were being entertained by a group of Aussies at a yacht club. Somewhere nearby someone working on his boat dropped something which sounded like a shot. My friend and I were instantly on the ground, much to the amazement of our hosts. Such a reaction is not due to racism!
All Mr Simpson needs to do is to eat beetroot and garlic, and his eyes will be opened.
I live in USA and here the 大象传媒 only report at midnight eastern time and one hour at 9.00 AM TO 10.00 AM, 大象传媒 is only being given more air time in Africa and missusing this previlege, in US it is considered to be culturally insensitive and not able to understand the racial balance, it is also has the British accent that is not any way popular, we need to chass this 大象传媒 away and replace it our own news channels and in some years we will be able to tell the world news from our own side.
Are we serious? I cant believe that 大象传媒 is trying to defend itself. You are the most racist news organisation in the whole world. Every African knows that even when it comes to employing Africans you look for that type that will endorse your prejudice.
Positve stories about South Africa hardly ever make it into the headlines. When something wrong happens 大象传媒 will post it in seconds.
The truth is 大象传媒 is largely part of white South Africans. deep down their hearts those white people would love white people in leadership positions.
Look at this: when John Simpson was a boy the whole Africa was colonised aand ideas of blacks being inferior were rampant in the UK. I suppose this is true for most of the editors there. Do you then expect them to say anything positive about a black leadership? You go figure!
South Africa has achieved alot in a very short time despite the fact that no western organisation wishes it good.
I would understand if South Africa accuses you of being racist.Perhaps I would not use the word racist, but certainly I would say you are biased. On an earlier article about S.Africa hosting the world cup, you talked of how they are foregoing building hospitals and other important development to build stadia.In another article on the same you managed to make S.Africa look unprepared and overwhelmed by the charge of hosting the world cup.Clearly, you guys do not think that S.Africa can do it and you give the impression that you are waiting for S.Africa to fail in a way so you can have something to report about.That goes for everything you write about Africa.I realize that my comments are strong and I apologize, but thats how I feel, along with dozens of my friends most of whom do not read the 大象传媒 anymore.
CENSORSHIP:
Of course the ANC is going to whine. What do you expect when they hold the controlling censorship over the media in South Africa with regards to the huge violent crime problem?
So the 大象传媒 tells it like it is 鈥 鈥測ou racialists鈥.
Just another way for the ANC to maintain its propaganda machine!
There is a website run by the ANC called Home Coming Revolution which is a blogg style site, if you try to post the word rape it is changed automatically to the word naughty.
So I guess the 大象传媒 must be naughty! Lol鈥..
I have been a 大象传媒 listener for more than 40 years. The 大象传媒 is generally a very trustworthy source of information. John Simpson is a well respected journalist.
The report was fair and balanced, in my opinion. The SA government is in denial about many facets of life in SA, crime being one of them. The 大象传媒 is doing a good job of shining a light on these matters.
Racist? Definitely not.
'the truth hurts' Mbeki sould just acknowledge the increasing crime statistic and not label the 大象传媒 as been racist. the crime wave in south is beyound human understanding. Yes in my country, zambia, there is crime. But not the levels which are in south africa.
There is a tendency in South Africa (and it's not unique in the world, though particularly accentuated in South Africa now) to brand criticism or even factual reporting as being racist. Maybe it is understandable sensitivities caused by a mottled history.
Strangely, if one properly analyses it, the accusation of racism could be the true racism here. It is a generalisation that any such comment, especially coming from Westernised or white sources, must have racist motives and therefore facts which would otherwise simply be facts, have a racial tinge to them. Surely if the only reason that racism is suspected is because of a generalisation about the source, then the accusation is truly racist?
The truth has over the ages, longer than the very short South African history that people like to focus on, been proven to be unifyer and freedom-enhancer. In the long term the truth is better.
Maybe it is time for South Africa (and not only South Africa, once again) to face up to the whole truth, in stead of just the preferred bits and pieces of it. We can only become a better nation for it.
The moment the pulic sector in general, as servant of the people, declares information confidential or wants to prescribe how to deal with the truth, then there could be grounds for suspicion, mistrust and all the other ugly things. Let's keep it open, honest and truthful. South Africa's crime statistics and comments is a prime example, but there are many similar issues. Sports selection, for example. Criticise it at your own peril. Follow for example the statements and actions of the UCB of SA on this issue and be confused over what the whole truth is...
As far as racism is concerned or people complaining about racist articles - I suggest they keep comments to themselves..I'm a South African and let me say this much, we have a beautifull country, great weather and lots of positive things. However crime is taking over this country every day. We live in constant fear, hi-jackings, murders, rape, these are just a few everyday normal occurences in South Africa which we have to live with. At least one person per family have had 1st hand experience of one of these crimes and although the ANC is quick to ignore these problems, the fact is, that these crimes happen every day.
More articles about crime in South Africa should be published to raise people's awareness, especially people that want to travel to our country.
As for 大象传媒's article - I think it was a fair and honest article and of highest standards.
As an investor in emerging makets I compare South africa with China and India. There's no question about it crime is the things that deters me. I donlt care what the South African Government says or indeed the 大象传媒 or the SABC, crime is rampant in South Africa. And to call John simpson racist is a pretty ignorant thing to do. Take pride 大象传媒. Keep up those standards and tell it like it is
Unfortunately this is fairly typical of the reactionary stance that the South African government enjoys taking to any criticism.
AIDS is treated with garlic and beetroot, Crime is ignored, Telkom is allowed to keep the country technologically crippled and the 大象传媒 is "racist".
On behalf of my country, apologies.
Poor people the world over know that black or white makes no difference when it comes to being mugged in the street, only rich politicians and bloated business leaders seem to notice the distinction...ahhh but you are only racist because you are from a 'white country' whatever that is.
How about a piece on how come Africa's richest country with it's growing list of millionaires still needs support from charities such as Red Nose Day?
Elsabe: The R90 000 000 wall is complete rubbish with absolutely no backing at all.
Back to the topic however, I felt the documentary on JHB was decent but one sided and with a definite point of making SA look bad.
Hillbrow is a dump but if you had just panned the camera a little to the left when you where walking across the road you would have seen that not all of JHB is that bad and there is a huge amount of regeneration happening in the city.
Whilst I don't agree with the race card being played I do feel it would have been fairer of the 大象传媒 to explain to it's viewers the very strange circumstances that surrounded the once prosperous Hillbrow becoming urban decay. Race unfortunately is a way of life in SA and needs to be taken into consideration.
We have our problems but as an expat of the UK I can honestly say SA is a great place to live. We have different problems but so does everywhere.
And we thank you for it!!
The helpless plight of the average South African in the face the government apathy towards crime and violence should be publicised internationally. Thanks for doing it!
The 大象传媒 are spot on. The ANC take criticism very personally. One only needs to look at how they reacted to the African Peer Review report. They tried to stop the Mail & Guardian Newspaper from publishing the draft. That too was critical of South Africa's handling of crime.
South African politicians are well used to treating the voting public in a high-handed manner. Ministers are rarely available for interview - often hiding behind spokespeople. The 大象传媒 tried to get them in front of the camera to put their side of the story, but unsurpisingly, they failed.
The local equivalent of the 大象传媒, the SABC are very much under the influence of the 'ruling party'. Therefore they cannot understand that the 大象传媒 are able to make a free report.
As far as I can tell, the 大象传媒 go a long way to accomodate minorities. To call them "racist" is just a smokescreen. After all, playing the race-card is the best game the ANC/Government (sometimes the distinction is blurred) know.
Maybe the ANC should send the SABC over here to do a report. They will find that the police do show up when called, do solve crimes and criminals do go to jail.
It would be interesting to see a report on the new wall they are building around the president's house (allegedly some of it being imported from abroad). Does he know something the rest of should know?
The 大象传媒's global interactive news and discussion programme will be discussing this issue tonight (Wednesday) from 1830 GMT, on the 大象传媒 World Service.
If you'd like to join the discussion, you can call +44 20 7557 0635, or send an email with your views and contact details to worldhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Had the 大象传媒 featured lots of white South Africans complaining about crime perpetrated by black South Africans, the government might have a point. But the fact is, the victims of crime in the piece were black, and they queued up to tell John Simpson their horror stories about crime. I don't see how reporting what they said could make the 大象传媒 racist.
Also, I think you're being oversensitive, Jon. Sometimes the best defence to
politically-motivated criticism is to ignore it, not give it publicity.
if that is what we class as racsist then i give up now, and we should all hang our heads in shame
One comment published here last week was published in error by our moderation team; it clearly broke our house rules (available here) and has now been removed.
Recently, when the ANC accused 大象传媒 of bias in reporting, the 大象传媒 vigorously denied the accusations and claimed that they are always fair. Before a full month has past the 大象传媒 has done it again.
This 大象传媒 article has twisted the truth in order to potray a certain point of view
In commenting about Zimbabwe, the South African government asked the Zimbabwe government to "protect human rights of all including the opposition", and the opposition to "create an environment favourable for solving problems". In other words the South African govenrment didnt take sides on the Zimbabwe issue.
Isnt it surprising that your article omitted everything the South African government said with respect to the opposition, and in the process entirely change or doctor whatever the South African government said?
Apparently the need to show that South Africa has changed tone was so overwhelming that 大象传媒 decided to omit a major part of the South African statement.
Just another proof that fairness cannot possibily be mentioned in the same sentence with the word 大象传媒
How interesting to read all the different comments on the documentory on South Africa.I have lived in S.A all my 34 years.It breaks my heart to see what our goverment is doing to our beautiful land.So thank you for the publicity, to let the world know what is truly going on here!!! Not that I think it will help.The world is standing by watching the problem in Zim as well, honestly what hope do we have?????
I am in Montevideo, Uruguay, and saw the programme this morning, by chance. Found it really good and never did I spot a racist remark or a racist overall tone or angle, throughout. I think the response of the ANC has more to do with Simpson's healthy, rigourous, critical (although unbiased) presentation of President Mbeki than with any racism at all. Very reminiscent of many South American parties presently in power, if you ask me: many of them would love a subservient press. It happens that that's not the role of the press in a democracy. It's not the role of the press period. And I can't imagine Mandela sharing the ANC's line of thought.
On a different note, I loved the music (presumably South African) Simpson (or the 大象传媒) used during that report. Can anyone point me out the band?
I'm from England, London and yes the 大象传媒 is racist big time. You just should see how they portray black people here, in the UK, in their output. Shocking, and an absolute disgrace. Every time a black face appears in 大象传媒 output in the UK it is negative, smeared and I am white and I can see it for what it is and condem it.
You honestly must expect this from the 大象传媒 and get over it. Ask any black British citizen and they well tell you that the 大象传媒 is fundamentally, inherently racist and is relentless in smearing people of black origin in the UK daily, week-in-week-out.
All 大象传媒 reports on Africa focus on the negative. There cannot be good news ever. In numerous reports I鈥檝e viewed in the UK, the 大象传媒 hunt out a white face, like a doctor in a camp to give the impression that black people are not capable. The black doctor cannot be shown, spoken to this will contradict the stereotype the 大象传媒 has invested in and spent many years building.
I'm just surprised that people are angry. The 大象传媒 is racist, will always be racist and will remain until the state broadcaster is made independent and tax streams removed. Only then can people simply withdraw funding. While they are state funded and implement British foreign policy expect no change in their position and no cease fire against black people.
I can only apologise and say these people (大象传媒) do not represent the average white person in the UK. Trust me.
The 大象传媒 are racist. It continuously highlights the bad things about a race and rarely mentions the good things and this creates for negative stereotypes for its viewers and readers. These unbalanced reports would tip the scale of any reasonable mind that watch your reports so that they can make informed decisions about a place, people or culture. Not everyone has the means to travel to exotic and remote places to see for themselves and most will give an account that is completely different from yours. Yes you may give an account of murders which is true but economic growth and increased stability for a country that was ravaged by years of apartheid is also true and more news credit worthy. In every democracy you have murders thats nothing new. People want to be encouraged not made to dispair. You need to balance the good with the bad, but it comes down you your own personal preferences what you report and how.
Simply put, we have heard the complaints that 大象传媒 has no people of colour working for them, only in their canteens so be honest with yourselves, how do you really expect to be able to report things unabiasedly and in a balanced way when your workforce is clearly reporting from a skewed position? Perhaps if 大象传媒 really were the world news having reporter from their own countries, they would not have such a big problem trying to report a countries problems in an empathetic manner. Your reporters simply dont have the sensitivity and understanding and clearly lack what it takes.