Another point on the double standards issue is the “allow the media to self regulate” argument. It is an interesting and slightly worrying assumption, in the wake of the very recent subprime mortgage crisis and bread price-fixing scandals, that the opinion leaders in our society believe that businesses ( which is what ‘the media’ essentially are) should self regulate. It can be safely assumed that, they like the big bad banks and bakeries, will look after their financial interest before they necessarily “deliver news that’s fair and analysis that is accurate”. If fair don’t sell, business won’t produce it.

When at fault, there tends to be a lethargic effort by the media to retract and rectify – late and vague apologies seem to be the trend. Thabo Leshilo, head of the media freedom committee of the South African National Editors Forum, responded to Jeremy Maggs’ inquiry about this ‘challenge’ with a declaration that stakeholders are in talks about ways to curb this. While they talk about their shortcomings, the ANC will continue to build a strong case, proactively, for need for the media muzzle.

I reckon once this problem starts hitting the bottomline, the big boys in the boardrooms will up the standard to try to win public sentiment back – in African time (not late, just African).