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Ethics and excuses: the scapegoating of Vusi Mona Guy Berger September 2004

Ethics and excuses: the scapegoating of Vusi Mona Guy Berger September 2004. Abstract: Vusi Mona – epitomy of sins. Abstract. Media avoided self-questioning about similar problems, deeper issues. To do with ethics and therefore about choices made and decisions taken.

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Ethics and excuses: the scapegoating of Vusi Mona Guy Berger September 2004

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  1. Ethics and excuses: the scapegoating of Vusi MonaGuy BergerSeptember 2004

  2. Abstract: Vusi Mona – epitomy of sins

  3. 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?

  4. 1. INTRO: where it begins • Ngcuka investigates Zuma and Maharaj  • Mona’s City Press publishes spy allegations against Ngcuka

  5. Story develops… • Mbeki appoints Hefer Inquiry 

  6. Outcomes • Hefer exonerates Ngcuka, exposes Mona as problematic  • Sanef condemns Mona.

  7. 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

  8. Others too…

  9. 3 issues test journ ethics • Motives • Testifying • Confidential briefings • Choices  decisions  sad chapter

  10. 2. MOTIVES & AGENDAS

  11. 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?

  12. 2.1 Munusamy’s motives • Strong step to give story to CP:

  13. Munusamy’s motives More than journalistic rationale? • She denies unconvincingly.

  14. How others saw her

  15. 2.2 Suspicions re: Tsedu • Tsedu & Sunday Times: • Close to/influenced?

  16. 2.3 Mona’s morality • Mona & City Press team:

  17. Disgust with Ngcuka?

  18. Disgust?

  19. Simple fairness?

  20. Or another personal motive?

  21. Revenge against Ngcuka?

  22. Distinguish two issues • Mona – revenge in regard to: • Breaking confidence of briefing • Publishing the story.

  23. Fight back, plots thicken • Mona accuses The Star of agendas

  24. Other factors … • Mona – simply competitive? • His colleagues favoured publication

  25. 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

  26. 3. CONFIDENTIAL BRIEF • Independence is one issue; • Who takes part is another; • Keeping to commitment • Theorising exceptions • Expediency on OTR interpretation

  27. Independence • Participants shd keep perspective: • BUT: both Mona & Tsedu wrote favourable editorials afterwards.

  28. Handpicked division • All 7 editors condoned selectivity.

  29. Leaking • Others published: Gleason, Mbhele • Mona alone was judged (as a journo)

  30. Other issues • Media silence on secrecy ethics vs externalities like Constitutional rights and public interest. • Off-the-record expediently interpreted by Tsedu, Rantao

  31. But only Mona takes the rap

  32. 4. TESTIFYING • Historical principle: we don’t testify.

  33. 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.

  34. “Heresies” galore • Poor exploration of possible precedent.

  35. 5. MEDIA DISCOURSE: • Mona “rat” was an easy target: doublespeak devious contradictions extemporising sloppy inconsistent Happy using Niewoudt as a source conflict-of-interest inept elusive

  36. Scapegoat • Problem was not hitting him, but eclipsing a broader malaise.

  37. Made to admit his sins

  38. Sweeping statements

  39. His impact is exaggerated

  40. The individual exception … • i.e Media innocent, just tarnished

  41. And so he went

  42. 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.

  43. Taking stock • Mona got what he deserved • But lack of wider soul-searching • Result: • Dubious journalism unaddressed • Problem children rehabilitated

  44. Political significance • No discussion on media’s role in fierce political battles and what Hefer experience portends for futures.

  45. Online at:http://journ.ru.ac.za/guyTHANK YOU

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