A friend who is a journalist in Uganda often remarks that as South Africans we ought to never be complacent in defending our democracy.
During a conversation about his country’s recent elections he texted: “You guys should not take your democracy for granted.”
At the time their opposition parties were obliterated and several journalists beaten, arrested and some shot at by security forces for covering anti-state rallies in the run-up to the election.
The poll outcome was predictable as longstanding dictator Yoweri Museveni awarded himself the presidency for the umpteenth time. The Ugandan treatment of journalists (and activists) is, of course, not unique to that country. It is the reality in many parts of Africa and elsewhere in the world where authorities undermine the principles of transparency and accountability to abuse power.
Such erosion of these values does not happen instantly nor does it occur in a vacuum. It creeps into our national landscape bit by bit. It also needs complicity from a broader section of society to become the norm. Often those who are complicit in chipping away at these principles do so oblivious to the consequences of the society they are helping to create.
I was reminded of this as I watched a habitual debate last week, this time sparked by a deeply unfortunate interaction between entertainer Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung and two journalists from Sunday World and City Press. The journalists had posed questions to Mhlongo-Motaung about his marriage as well as his cooking show, respectively. In retaliation, the star posted the cellphone number of one journalist on his Instagram page and incited his followers to harass her. To the other he responded with jaw-dropping vulgarity I cannot repeat here.
He has since apologised, but only for posting the number and has subsequently taken it down. But not before both journalists were subjected to the most vile abuse and threats by his followers. Still, he remains adamant that he was wronged, his privacy was invaded and he is tired of such treatment by journalists. The public debate around this saga is centred on two themes, namely the conduct of journalists and the abuse they are frequently subjected to. The truth is there is heightened distrust of the media by society at the moment. Part of it is justified frankly because of the disgusting behaviour, intentional and otherwise, of some in our industry over the years.
The other is based on unfounded perceptions owing to constant misinformation and disinformation campaigns against journalists on social media. The campaigns are normally designed to divert attention from the shenanigans of powerful figures. They are bulked up by lies, emotive narratives and sustained by ignorant followers desperate for social currency. So let me be clear on this. Any journalist whose work is shoddy or substandard must be critiqued accordingly.
Journalists who deliberately manipulate information must be held accountable by any appropriate and legally permissible means, including through media regulatory bodies and even courts. Furthermore, social media has placed at the hands of ordinary people the instant power to publish and debunk (hopefully with facts) any inaccurate information published by journalists.
All these are necessary to force us as media practitioners to constantly reflect on the work we do and its impact on the nation we are and are becoming. What is unacceptable and should never be is the abuse of journalists which seeks to delegitimise not only the craft of journalism itself but to portray journalists as subhumans deserving of scorn by society. This abuse is often meted out by those in authority whose power is amplified when a credible media is weakened. It is also sustained when those who have social influence bully their way out of scrutiny.
The end goal is to erode the legitimacy of journalists and, consequently, journalism as a societal function. It is ultimately to exercise dominance and to enjoy privilege free of accountability. Only, the consequences of this behaviour are not limited to the media. Bit by bit this culture of impunity creeps into our society, creating an environment where the democratic principles of transparency and accountability on matters of public interest are not only undermined but opposed. Importantly, it creates a new norm where those who question power are viewed as troublesome and deserving of banishment to the margins of our society.
This is how democracies are broken.
• Makunga is Sowetan Editor.
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