Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Science forms an integral part of our lives. It is tied to social practices, public policies and political affairs. Yet, very little is reported on it unless it is making hard news. This thesis was written from the premise that the public requires as much accurate information as possible to make choices and decisions. In many instances, they solely depend on the news media to supply that information. Journalists have a responsibility to reflect and explain the complexity of a world that is increasingly influenced by science. In Namibia the establishment of conservancies under the CBNRM programme of government, have an influence on many rural people's lives who would previously not have been too concerned about science news. Through the Media and Publicity Strategy of the CBNRM programme, communication of the environmental message of conservancies has been successful to a large extent, especially in terms of reportage in the local press. The messages conveyed in the press have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive of the system. From the perspective of the level of journalism practised in this regard, the effort has not been that great. Publications in Namibia operate on very limited budgets and have to manage with a minimum number of reporters. This means journalists are expected to cover a range of different beats, and are seldom offered the opportunity to develop as specialist writers in specific fields. The field of science and environment is generally not regarded as an area that produces hard news on a regular basis. This was evident in the articles reviewed for the purposes of this thesis. The majority of stories were written from press releases or field trips organised by the CBNRM programme organisers. Stories that were self-generated were not very well researched, or did not follow through on potential hard news angles or ideas. In a world of war, hunger, poverty, diseases and many other tragedies, the story of the development of communal conservancies is a wonderfully positive story that highlights the success of sustainable development, the upliftment of the rural poor and achievements in terms of conservation. It is a welcome change for journalists to tell a positive story to the world. However, as journalists should know, every story has two sides. The purpose is not necessarily to find fault with the conservancy philosophy or to shoot it down or find sensationalism where it is not due. Their role is to present a full, unbiased account of the facts so that their readers can make up their own minds on whether they support the concept, or not. If journalists failed to inform their readers about the problems experienced by the implementation of conservancies, then they have failed to give their readers the full picture. The conclusions drawn in this thesis on the level of science or environmental reporting in Namibia, serve to emphasise the urgent need for specialist writers in the profession. A handful of dedicated and committed science writers that increasingly raises the level of reporting will make a vast difference in the fields of science and environment in Namibia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wetenskap vorm 'n integrale deel van ons lewens. Dit is gebind aan sosiale gebruike, openbare beleidsrigtings en politieke sake. Tog word daar baie min daaroor geskryf, behalwe wanneer dit harde nuus is. Hierdie tesis is geskryf vanuit die oogpunt dat die publiek soveel as moontlik akkurate inligting nodig het om keuses te maak. In baie gevalle vertrou hulle uitsluitlik op die nuus media om daardie inligting te verskaf. Joernaliste het 'n verantwoordelikheid om 'n wêreld wat al hoe meer beïnvloed word deur wetenskap te verduidelik. In Namibië het die daarstelling van bewareas deur die CBNRM-program van die regering, 'n groot invloed op die lewens van baie plattelandse mense se lewens gehad wat voorheen nie veel sou omgegee het oor wetenskapnuus nie. Die daarstelling van bewareas het 'n hele nuwe wêreld met baie nuwe uitdagings tot by hulle voordeur gebring. Dit was belangrik om hulle genoegsaam in te lig oor die voor- en nadele van die stelsel om hulle in staat te stelom te besluit of hulle wou betrokke raak of nie. Die boodskap wat die pers oorgedra het, was oorweldigend positief met baie steun vir die stelsel. Vanuit 'n joernalistieke perspektief gesien, was die beriggewing rue so noemenswaardig nie. Publikasies in Namibië werk met baie beperkte begrotings en moet klaarkom met 'n minimum aantal verslaggewers. Dit beteken daar word van joernaliste verwag om oor 'n wye verskeidenheid onderwerpe te skryf. Wetenskap- en omgewingsberiggewing word oor die algemeen gesien as 'n gebied wat nie werklik harde nuus op 'n gereelde basis produseer nie. Dit het duidelik gebleik uit die artikels wat ontleed is vir die doel van die tesis. Die meerderheid van die stories is geskryf van persverklarings en uitstappies georganiseer deur die CBNRM. Die stories wat wel self gegenereer is, was nie baie goed nagevors rue. In 'n wêreld van oorlog, hongersnood, armoede en siektes, is die ontwikkeling van . bewareas 'n wonderlike positiewe storie wat dien as bewys van die sukses van volhoubare ontwikkel, die opheffmg van plattelandse arm mense en wat bereik kan word met bewaring. Dit is 'n welkome verandering vir joernaliste om vir 'n slag 'n positiewe storie aan die wêreld te vertel. Maar, soos joernaliste behoort te weet, het elke storie twee kante. Die doel van 'n joernalis is nie noodwendig om fout te vind met die filosofie van bewareas nie, of om dit af te skiet of sensasie te soek waar dit nie nodig is nie. Hulle rol is om 'n volledige, onsydige verslag van die feite weer te gee sodat hulle lesers self kan besluit of hulle die konsep ondersteun of nie. As joernaliste daarin gefaal het om hulle lesers in te lig oor die probleme wat ondervind is met die implementering van bewareas, dan het hulle daarin gefaal om die volledige prentjie aan hulle lesers te skets. Die slotsom van die tesis oor die vlak van wetenskap- en omgewingsjoernalistiek in Namibië is dat daar 'n dringende tekort aan spesialis skrywers in die professie is. Selfs net 'n handvol toegewyde wetenskapskrywers sal al klaar 'n groot verbetering bring in die kwaliteit van verslaggewing in die wetenskap- en omgewingsvakgebied in Namibië.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim and function of this paper is to provide a balanced account of how the media, international and South African, have dealt with the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A selection of interviews, presentations, articles, transcripts and published reports forms the background of this interpretation, and offers insight into the history of the technology, the major role players, the legislation required and implemented, the question of environmental accountability, and the power of the media's influence. It addresses aspects of the causal relationship between the media and public understanding, and the subsequent power of the consumer as manifested by the perception of risk. The central theme of genetic engineering conjures up a variety of meanings and applications, and the plethora of available information is evaluated in an attempt to develop informed understanding for reporters covering the many dimensions of this development within the arena of science and technology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie verhandeling is om 'n ewewigtige oorsig te verstrek van hoe die media - Suid-Afrikaans sowel as internasionaal - die kwessie van geneties gemodifiseerde organismes gehanteer het. 'n Seleksie onderhoude, aanbiedinge, artikels, transkripsies, en gepubliseerde verslae vorm die basis van hierdie interpretasie, en verskaf 'n insig in die geskiedenis van die tegnologie, die belangrike rolspelers, nodige en géimplementeerde wetgewing, die vraag van omgewingstoerekenbaarheid, en die mag van die media se invloed. Dit spreek aspekte aan van die kousale verwantskap tussen die media en begrip deur die algemene publiek, en die daaropvolgende mag van die verbruiker, soos dit duidelik word in hulle insig in en begrip van die risiko-faktor. Die sentrale tema van genetiese modifisering bring te voorskyn 'n verskeidenheid betekenisse en aanwendings; en 'n oorsig van die massa beskikbare inligting word hier aangebied in 'n poging om aan verslaggewers ingeligte begrip aan te bied van die veelsydige omvang van die ontwikkeling van genetiese modifisering in die gebied van wetenskap en tegnologie.

Thesis (MPhil) -- Stellenbosch University, 2001. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Few news subjects or events can be comprehensively covered in the media without numbers being used. Indeed, most reports are essentially 'number stories', or could be improved through the judicious use of numbers. Despite this there are frequent complaints about poor levels of numeracy among journalists. Although numbers are fundamental to virtually everything they write, the most superficial review of South African newspapers indicates that most encounters between journalists and numbers of any sort are uncomfortable, to say the least. Reporters shy away from using numbers, and frequently resort to vague comments such as "many", "more", "worse" or "better". When reports do include numbers, they often don't make sense, largely because journalists are unable to do simple calculations and have little understanding of concepts such as the size of the world's population, a hectare, or a square kilometer. They frequently use numbers to lend weight to their facts without having the numerical skills to question whether the figures are correct. Numeracy is not the ability to solve complicated mathematical problems or remember and use a mass of complicated axioms and formulas; it's a practical life skill. For journalists it is the ability to understand the numbers they encounter in everyday life - percentages, exchange rates, very large and small amounts - and the ability to ask intelligent questions about these numbers before presenting them meaningfully in their reports. This thesis is not a compendium of all the mathematical formulas a journalist could ever need. It is a catalogue of the errors that are frequently made, particularly in newspapers, and suggestions to improve number usage. It will hopefully also serve to make journalists aware of the potential of numbers to improve reporting and increase accuracy. This thesis emphasises the importance of basic numeracy for all journalists, primarily by discussing the basic numerical skills without which they cannot do their job properly, but also by noting the concerns of experienced journalists, mathematicians, statisticians and educators about innumeracy in the media. Although the contents of this thesis also apply to magazine, radio and television journalists, it is primarily aimed at their counterparts at South Africa's daily and weekly newspapers. I hope the information contained herein is of use to journalists and journalism students; that it will open their eyes to the possibility of improving number usage and thereby reporting, serve as encouragement to brush up their numerical skills, and help to shed light on the numbers which surround them and which they use so readily. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Min nuusonderwerpe of -gebeure kan in beriggewing tot hul reg kom sonder dat enige getalle gebruik word. Trouens, die meeste berigte is in wese 'syferstories', of kan verbeter word deur meer sinvolle gebruik van syfers. Tog is daar vele klagtes oor joemaliste se gebrekkige syfervaardigheid. Ten spyte van die ingeworteldheid van getalle in haas alles wat hulle skryf, toon selfs die mees oppervlakkige ondersoek na syfergebruik in Suid-Afrikaanse koerante joemaliste se ongemaklike omgang met die meeste syfers. Hulle is skugter om syfers te gebruik, en verlaat hulle dikwels op vae kommentaar soos "baie", "meer", "erger" of "beter". Indien hulle syfers gebruik, maak die syfers dikwels nie sin nie: meermale omdat joemaliste nie basiese berekeninge rondom persentasies en statistiek kan doen nie, en min begrip het vir algemene groothede soos die wereldbevolking, 'n hektaar of 'n vierkante kilometer. Hulle sal dikwels enige syfer gebruik omdat hulle meen dit verleen gewig aan hul feite en omdat hulle nie die syfervaardigheid het om dit te bevraagteken nie. Syfervaardigheid is nie die vermoe om suiwer wiskunde te doen of 'n magdom stellings en formules te onthou en gebruik nie; dis 'n praktiese lewensvaardigheid, die vermoe om die syferprobleme wat die daaglikse roetine oplewer - persentasies, wisselkoerse, baie groot en klein getalle- te verstaan en te hanteer. Hierdie tesis is nie 'n versameling van alle berekeninge wat joemaliste ooit sal nodig kry nie; maar veel eerder 'n beskrywing van die potensiaal van syfers om verslaggewing te verbeter en joemaliste te help om ag te slaan op die getalle rondom hulle en die wat hulle in hul berigte gebruik. Die doel van die tesis is om die belangrikheid van 'n basiese syfervaardigheid vir alle joemaliste te beklemtoon, veral die basiese syfervaardighede waarsonder joemaliste nie die verslaggewingtaak behoorlik kan aanpak nie, te bespreek, en ook om ervare joemaliste, wiskundiges, statistici en opvoeders se kommer oor joemaliste se gebrek aan syfervaardigheid op te teken. Hoewel alles wat in die tesis vervat is, ewe veel van toepassing is op tydskrif-, radio- en televisiejoemaliste, val die klem hoofsaaklik op hul ewekniee by Suid-Afrikaanse dag- en weekblaaie. Ek hoop die inligting hierin vervat sal van nut wees vir praktiserende joemaliste en joemalistiekstudente om hulle bewus te maak van die moontlikhede wat bestaan om syfergebruik, en uiteindelik verslaggewing, te verbeter en as aanmoediging dien om hul syfervaardigheid op te skerp.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of South Africa, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study deals with the history and development of motoring publications in South Africa since the start of the twentieth century. An important aspect of the study is the examination of the profitability of specialist motoring publications that are in direct competition with motoring sections in newspapers, radio and television. The ability of the motoring media to draw advertisements - especially from the car manufacturers - is also scrutinised. In this study the problems encountered by journalists seeking information or feed-back from certain car manufacterers, are highlighted. The study also covers new technical developments such as the Internet and the numerous new motoring websites and closes with case studies of two new ventures; one which was successful, another which failed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie handeloor die ontstaansgeskiedenis en ontwikkeling van die verskillende motortydskrifte en ander motorpublikasies in Suid-Afrika vanaf die begin van die twintigste eeu. 'n Belangrike aspek van die studie behels die ondersoek na die winsgewendheid van spesialispublikasies wat direk met motorbylaes in koerante, die radio en televisie kompeteer. Die vermoë van spesialispublikasies om advertensies te genereer, veral advertensies van motorvervaardigers, kom onder die soeklig. In die studie word ook gewys op die probleme waarmee motorjoernaliste te doen kry wanneer hulle inligting of terugvoer van sommige motorvervaardigers verlang. Die studie betrek ook nuwe ontwikkelings soos die Internet en die talle motorwebwerwe wat feitlik daagliks verrys en sluit af met twee gevallestudies van 'n suksesvolle en onsuksesvolle onderneming.

Thesis(MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: At the end of the previous century the magazine market has established itself as 'n highly specialised field with publications focussing on increasingly smaller and specialised niche groups. The South African market is a good reflection of this with a wide variety of magazines available, each with its own unique readers. However it appears as if architectural reporting fills a very small part of this market. Taking a look at the important role architecture - the built environment - plays in daily life, the question occurs why such an integral part of the human experience and field of reference is getting so little coverage. Across the world the history of architectural reporting goes back for more than a century and, especially in the Developed World it seems to be going from strength to strength. Research into architectural reporting in South Africa shows that the tradition also goes back for nearly one hundred years. Still it has never featured very highly on the content pages of magazines and newspapers. In a country faced with the kind of building and development problems such as those in South Africa, one would expect architecture to be discussed more openly and often. At this stage South Africa has only two magazines which exclusively focuses on architecture. These magazines are not to be found in stores, however. Do they have a responsibility in informing the general public regarding matters surrounding architecture? This study looks at the mentioned magazines and why they operate like they do. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tydskrifmark het die vorige eeu afgesluit as 'n hoogs gespesialiseerde veld met publikasies wat op al hoe kleiner en meer gespesialiseerde nisgroepe fokus. Ook in Suid-Afrika is daar 'n wye verskeidenheid tydskrifte beskikbaar, elkeen met 'n unieke leserssamestelli ng. Tog blyk dit dat argitektuurverslaggewing 'n baie klein deel van hierdie mark uitmaak. Kyk 'n mens kyk die belangrike rol wat argitektuur - die beboude omgewing - in die daaglikse lewe speel, ontstaan die vraag waarom so 'n integrale deel van die mens se ervarings- en verwysingsveld so min aandag kry. Die geskiedenis van argitetkuurverslaggewing wereldwyd is al meer as 'n honderd jaar oud en in sommige oorsese - meesal ontwikkelde -Iande Iyk asof dit gedy. 'n Ondersoek na argitektuurverslaggewing in Suid-Afrika toon dat dit ook hier al byna honderd jaar beoefen word, maar dit het nog nooit enige hoe profiel in die inhoudsopgawes van tydskrifte ingeneem nie. Ook in koerante word dit seide indien ooit bespreek. Veral in 'n land 5005 Suid-Afrika, waar daar groot bouvraagstukke is wat opgelos moet word, sou 'n mens kon verwag dat argitektuur meer prominent bespreek sou word. Daar is op hierdie stadium slegs twee Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrifte wat eksklusief op argitektuur fokus. Tog is hierdie tydskrifte nie op die winkelrakke beskikbaar nie. Het hierdie tydskrifte 'n verantwoordelikheid teenoor die algemene publiek, om hulle meer bewus en ingelig te maak rondom kwessies betreffende argitektuur? Hierdie studie stel ondersoek in na die genoemde tydskrifte en waarom hulle bestuur word 5005 wat wei die geval is.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Internet has become such an integral part of computer users' daily existence that it seems as if it has always been there. The Internet with its unique borders - or lack of borders - places an enormous burden on geographically based legal systems. Regulation, that has specifically been designed for the Internet, is a necessity because virtually every aspect of the law is challenged by the Internet and that many legal frameworks are inadequate to deal with the Internet. The other aspect which complicates the Internet even more, is that there is no specific organisation, business or government to whom the Internet belongs. Individuals and organisations have rights to the web pages that they own on the Internet, but there is no ownership of the Internet in its entirety. The development of the Internet in South Africa took place during a difficult time in the country's history. The apartheid era initially limited the growth of the Internet. Much of the existing legislation in South Africa has been partially adapted to accommodate the Internet, but the government could not envisage what the actual impact of the Internet would be and consequently they reacted when it came to the regulation of the Internet. In 2002 the Electronic Communication and Transaction Act 25 of2002 came into operation. In fact, the physical component of the Internet has already been regulated to a degree by the pure coincidence as a result of its physical presence. This is because the backbone of the Internet had not originally been created by the Internet, but by the telephone. There are a number of legislative Internet-organisations that are, among others, responsible for the technical standards of the Internet, dispute resolutions and in general what is important for the Internet community. Various international conventions regulate specific aspects of the Internet such as copyright, intellectual property rights, domain names, trademarks and cyber crime. The international conventions and agreements are an important step in the direction of standardised regulation. However, the lack of borders creates problems surrounding jurisdiction of the cyber space. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Internet het al so deel van rekenaargebruikers se alledaagse bestaan geword dat dit soms wil voorkom asof dit maar nog altyd daar was. Die Internet met sy unieke grense - of sy gebrek aan grense - plaas 'n groot las op geografies gebaseerde regstelsels. Regulering wat spesifiek vir die Internet ontwerp is, is 'n noodsaaklikheid, aangesien byna elke aspek van die reg deur die Internet uitgedaag word en baie regsraamwerke onvoldoende is om die Internet te hanteer. Wat die regulering van die Internet verder kompliseer, is dat daar nie een spesifieke organisasie, onderneming of regering is aan wie die Internet behoort nie. Individue en organisasies het regte tot die webwerwe wat hulle op die Internet besit, maar daar is nie eienaarskap van die Internet in sy geheel nie. Die ontwikkeling van die Internet in Suid-Afirka het tydens 'n moeilike tydperk in die Suid- Afrikaanse geskiedenis plaasgevind. Die apartheidsera het die aanvanklike ontwikkeling en groei van die Internet in Suid-Afrika beperk. Verskeie bestaande Suid-Afrikaanse wetgewing is deels aangepas om die Internet te akkommodeer, maar die regering het nooit besef wat die werklike impak van die Internet sou wees nie en het gevolglik re-aktief te werk gegaan wanneer dit by die regulering van die Internet gekom het. In 2002 het Suid-Afrika se Elektroniese Kommunikasie en Transaksies Wet 25 van 2002 in werking getree. Die regulering van die fisieke komponente van die Internet is tot 'n mate as gevolg van sy fisieke teenwoordigheid deur blote toeval, gereguleer. Dit is omdat die ruggraat van die Internet nie oorspronklik vir die Internet geskep is nie, maar vir die telefoon. Daar bestaan verskeie wetgewende Internet-organisasies wat onder meer verantwoordelik is vir die tegniese standaarde van die Internet, dispuutresolusie en wat oor die algemeen aan die belange van die Internet-gemeenskap wil voldoen. Verskeie internasionale konvensies reguleer spesifieke aspekte van die Internet soos kopiereg, intellektuele eiendomsreg, domeinname en handelsmerke en kubermisdaad. Die internasionale konvensies en verdrae is 'n belangrike stap in die rigting van gestandaardiseerde regulering. Tog skep die grenslose omstandighede van die Internet probleme rondom jurisdiksie in die kuberruim.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Financial reporting is one of the most vulnerable sectors of journalism for the occurrence of possible unethical conduct. Financial journalists handle news with financial value and have access to privileged market information which confront them with numerous ethical problems, namely the use of press releases, the influence of public relations, the use of financial jargon, reporting on shares and the securities market, journalists' dependence on analysts' opinions and recommendations, the receipt of freebies and insider trading. This assignment gives an overview of the incidence of unethical conduct in financial reporting in South Africa. Ethical principles relevant for financial reporting, namely accuracy, truth and deception, fairness, objectivity and conflict of interest are analysed, discussed and illustrated with incidences of possible unethical behaviour in financial reporting. The research method comprised the scrutiny of business sections of newspapers and articles in finance magazines, articles from the World Wide Web, as well as sources on media ethics and business journalism. Accuracy in financial reporting is a necessity for sound journalism. The impact of press releases on accuracy in financial reporting was investigated, but did not yield sufficient proof that they necessarily lead to inaccurate reporting. Financial journalists' reliance on the opinions and recommendations of business analysts, however, revealed a significant contribution to inaccurate reporting. A chore journalistic value, truth establishes trust between the media and the public. Financial reporting should promote understanding of the relevant facts, not only for readers with a keen interest in financial matters, but also for the average audience. South African financial journalists use excessive jargon, arcane financial data and affected language which may confuse and even mislead the general reader. Share price reporting in South Africa is generally factual and the investigation did not yield any incidences of share punting among financial journalists. Analysts' reports, however, pose a serious threat for media independence as financial journalists rely on their expertise. Conflicts of interest arise when there is conflict between a journalist's professional loyalties and outside interests. An investigation into possible insider trading in South African financial journalism did not yield any proof of such incidences. The receipt of freebies, however, remains a grey area because most codes of conduct of South African news agencies only prohibit the receipt of freebies which are of more than nominal value. Recommendations include advanced journalism training courses which will enhance journalists' business writing skills and knowledge of basic Economics and finance, columns in financial publications which explain financial jargon and a greater emphasis on media ethics. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Finansiële verslaggewing is een van die mees vatbare sektore vir onetiese optrede in die joernalistiek. Finansiële verslaggewers het toegang tot vertroulike markinligting en doen beriggewing wat finansiële waarde het. Daarom word hulle dikwels gekonfronteer met verskeie etiese probleme, naamlik die gebruik van persvrystellings, die invloed van skakelbeamptes en woordvoerders, die gebruik van finansiële jargon, aandele-beriggewing, die steun op analiste se menings en aanbevelings asook die ontvang van geskenke ("freebies") en die bemarking, aanbeveling of koop en verkoop van aandele. Hierdie werkstuk gee 'n oorsig van die voorkoms van onetiese gedrag in finansiële verslaggewing in Suid-Afrika. Etiese beginsels wat betrekking het op finansiële verslaggewing, naamlik noukeurigheid, waarheid en misleiding, regverdigheid, objektiwiteit en botsende belange word ondersoek, bespreek en toegelig met die voorkoms van moontlike onetiese gedrag in finansiële verslaggewing. Die navorsingsmetode het berus op die bestudering van sake-bylae van koerante, artikels en saketydskrifte, artikels wat van die Internet verkry is, en bronne oor media-etiek en finansiële verslaggewing. Noukeurigheid in finansiële verslaggewing is noodsaaklik vir goeie joernalistiek. Die ondersoek na die invloed van persvrystellings op die noukeurigheid van finansiële verslaggewing het nie voldoende bewyse gelewer dat noukeurigheid ingeboet word nie. Dat finansiële verslaggewers egter steun op die mening en aanbevelings van analiste het getoon dat analiste se menings en aanbevelings dikwels tot onakkurate verslaggewing lei. Die waarheid is 'n kernbeginsel in joernalistiek en bewerkstellig vertroue tussen die media en die publiek. Finansiële verslaggewing behoort 'n begrip van die toepaslike feite te bevorder - nie alleenlik vir lesers wat belangstel in finansiële aangeleenthede nie, maar ook vir die gemiddelde leser. Finansiële verslaggewers in Suid-Afrika gebruik oormatige jargon, ingewikkelde finansiële data en geaffekteerde taal wat die gemiddelde leser kan verwar en mislei. Aandele-beriggewing in Suid-Afrika is oor die algemeen feitelik en die ondersoek het nie getoon dat finansiële verslaggewers aandele bemark of aanbeveel nie. Analiste se verslae bedreig egter die onafhanklikheid van die media, omdat finansiële verslaggewers steun op hul kennis. Botsende belange kom voor indien konflik ontstaan tussen 'n joernalis se professionele pligte en belange van buite. 'n Ondersoek na die moontlikheid dat Suid-Afrikaanse joernaliste hul eie aandele bemark of aanbeveel het egter geen bewyse van dergelike gevalle opgelewer nie. Die ontvang van geskenke ("freebies") is egter 'n moeilike kwessie, omdat die meeste gedragskodes van Suid- Afrikaanse nuusagentskappe slegs die ontvang van "freebies" verbied indien dit 'n nominale waarde oorskry. Aanbevelings sluit in gevorderde joernalistieke opleidingsprogramme wat joernaliste se finansiële skryfvermoë en kennis van Ekonomie en finansies verskerp, rubrieke in finansiële publikasies wat finansiële jargon omskryf asook 'n beklemtoning van die belangrikheid van mediaetiek.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to explore aspects of the textual representation of Magadien Wentzel, the main character of The Number, a work of literary journalism by Jonny Steinberg. It sets out to respond to the following two central research questions: Firstly, what narrative decisions does Jonny Steinberg make in the text of The Number to convey aspects of the reality he experienced in relation to his main character, Magadien Wentzel; and secondly, what effect do these decisions have on the reader? As literary journalism is a genre with fluid boundaries and therefore various definitions, the thesis first presents the challenge of definition and lays out a broad history of the genre in its attempt to situate The Number as a work of social documentary and of literary journalism in South Africa. Taking realism as its theoretical point of departure, this study aligns itself with the view that there exists an independent, extra-textual real-world and that knowledge of this real-world can be produced and shared. In doing so, realism presents itself as a literary form associated with art that cannot turn away from harsh aspects of human existence – a characteristic mirrored by Steinberg’s (and thus his character’s) major themes. By means of a textual analysis which seeks to interpret aspects of Steinberg’s narrative decisions in his text, this study uses tools of literary realism, namely the empirical effect and the character effect, in its exploration. This research, conducted within the qualitative research paradigm, is informed in particular by the assumption that there exists an implicit communicative contract between author and reader which leads to narrative trust, seen as an indispensable quality to the non-fictional reading experience. In the case of Steinberg and The Number, this study finds that the writer’s representation of a particular reality relies to an important degree on the level of trust he is able to inspire in a reader. This is pertinent because, being factual, non-fiction demands that a reader not only imagine a world other than their own, but that they believe it too. One of the ways in which Steinberg enables a reader to trust his representation of his particular reality is by overtly placing his literary and authorial concerns alongside his reportage of Magadien Wentzel, the main character of The Number. This distinctive narrative approach results in a modification of the reader’s traditional contract with the writer, forged by the text between them, to one in which the text unites the reader with both Steinberg as narrator and Magadien Wentzel as character. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie poog om aspekte van die tekstuele voorstelling van Magadien Wentzel, die hoofkarakter in The Number, 'n werk van literêre joernalistiek deur Jonny Steinberg, te verken. Dit probeer om die volgende twee sentrale navorsingsvrae te beantwoord: Eerstens, watter narratiewe besluite neem Jonny Steinberg in die teks van The Number om aspekte van die werklikheid wat hy ervaar het met betrekking tot sy hoofkarakter, Magadien Wentzel, oor te dra, en tweedens, watter effek het dit op die leser? Aangesien literêre joernalistiek 'n genre is met vloeibare grense en daarom verskeie definisies, probeer die tesis eerstens die uitdaging van definisie te beantwoord. Daarmee lê dit ook 'n breë basis van die geskiedenis van die genre in sy poging om The Number te situeer as 'n sosiale dokumentêr en as literêre joernalistiek in Suid-Afrika. Met realisme as teoretiese vertrekpunt, vereenselwig hierdie studie hom daarmee dat 'n onafhanklike, ekstra-tekstuele regte wêreld bestaan, en dat kennis van dié “regte wêreld” geskep en gedeel kan word. So representeer realisme hom as 'n literêre vorm wat verband hou met die kunste, en wat sigself nie kan afwend van die harde aspekte van die menslike bestaan nie – 'n kenmerk wat deur Steinberg se hooftemas – en daarom ook dié van sy hoofkarakter – weerspieël word. Deur middel van 'n tekstuele analise wat poog om aspekte van Steinberg se narratiewe besluite in sy teks te interpreteer, gebruik hierdie studie aspekte van literêre realisme, naamlik die empiriese effek en die karakter-effek, in sy ondersoek. Hierdie navorsing, wat binne die kwalitatiewe navorsingsparadigma uitgevoer is, is veral geïnformeer deur die aanname dat daar 'n implisiete kommunikatiewe kontrak tussen die skrywer en die leser bestaan wat lei tot narratiewe vertroue, gesien as 'n onmisbare element van die nie-fiksie-leeservaring. In die geval van Steinberg en The Number het hierdie studie bevind dat die skrywer se voorstelling van 'n bepaalde werklikheid tot 'n belangrike mate berus op die vlak van vertroue wat hy by die leser genereer. Dit is belangrik, want synde feitelik, vereis nie-fiksie dat 'n leser nie net 'n wêreld anders as hul eie voorstel nie, maar dat hulle ook daarin kan glo. Een van die maniere waarop Steinberg 'n leser in staat stel om sy voorstelling van sy besondere werklikheid te vertrou, is deur die plasing van sy literêre en outeursbesorgdheid direk langs sy reportage van Magadien Wentzel, die hoofkarakter in The Number. Hierdie unieke narratiewe aanslag het ’n modifikasie van die leser se tradisionele kontrak met die skrywer tot gevolg, ’n kontrak wat gewoonlik deur die teks tussen hulle gesmee is, en wat verander in een waarin die teks die leser met beide Steinberg as verteller en Magadien Wentzel as karakter verenig het.

Thesis (MPhil (Journalism))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Magazine publishers are under increasing pressure to extend their business strategies beyond the traditional printed products. A culture of instant gratification of media needs, pervasive social networking and the immediacy of content delivery, which are all provided by the World Wide Web, aggravate fears that readers will ultimately abandon the printed media in favour of the Internet as the primary content provider. These fears are rooted in the assumption that consumers choose the media they use based on preconceived ideas as to how these media will fulfil their needs. If the Internet succeeds in supplanting or displacing printed media, it could potentially destroy the traditional magazine model whereby publishers simultaneously generate revenue from the sale of media content to their audience and the sale of the audience’s attention to their advertisers. Therefore it is imperative that magazine publishers develop a relevant and efficient strategy to maintain their position as “intermediary” between advertisers and the media audience. To develop such a strategy, they need to understand what media uses consumers have for the Internet and what gratifications they expect to receive. Once this is understood, publishers could develop their online and offline strategies to service these uses and gratifications. This thesis contains qualitative research conducted in a phenomenological paradigm through the application of two descriptive surveys. The first survey focused on the experiences and attitudes of visitors to the website of WegSleep, an Afrikaans South African niche magazine for the caravanning and camping community, whilst the second compares similarities between the seven most visited magazine websites in South Africa during 2008. A correlation of the findings leads to the conclusion that although the Internet could potentially emulate all media, readers do not employ the Internet for exactly the same purposes as printed media. Whilst some displacement does take place, magazines are still better at serving readers’ affective and escapist needs. Conversely, the Internet is the preferred medium with regard to information gathering and cognitive media needs as well as personal integrative needs. Social integrative needs appear to be non medium specific. A complementary combination of the printed product and the online offering could therefore provide gratification of all media needs and promote brand loyalty instead of medium loyalty.

Thesis (MPhil (Journalism))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / This study examines the history, development and diversity of news agencies. It studies the major agencies and pinpoints how smaller wire services that sometimes purvey niche news seek to offer a more diverse global news-flow. The linkage between news agencies and technological developments, and how wire services have helped advance technology, is examined since the first agencies began in the 1800s, up to the current era of the Internet. The rise of television and the subsequent ascent of the Internet prompted new demands for more diverse news procurement. This accelerated the convergence of different media and has exposed challenges and opportunities to news agencies, large and small. Alongside the telegraph, news wire services expanded from supplying news and information locally to being global players, helping the world shrink. The mediahistoriographical approach engages a critical examination of literature sources regarding the development of the major wire services, and some of the smaller players. The literature, along with interviews with news agency experts, provides the material to examine wire services. The study shows how some original agencies leveraged opportunities offered by their standing in powerful nations to become dominant transnational players. The ascendancy of the mega-agencies compounded limited news-flows from developed to poorer nations, while an expansion of diversified news-flows has not matched technological progression. This study concludes by recommending greater recognition of the importance of news agencies and more scholarly examination of them, as studies on them appear scarce compared to those on other media branches, such as newspapers, the electronic media and the Internet. More studies into the development of both mainstream and alternative news agencies would pave the way for a better understanding of how they function and could provide clues as to how they might be able to better sustain themselves as more diverse entities for the benefit of the public discourse. Through the above, this dissertation seeks to contribute, in a small way, to rectifying a knowledge disparity regarding a key component of the mass media, namely the news agency.