I used to think the Independent group had the monopoly on unhappy hacks but these days I’m realising it’s a widespread phenomenon in the media industry. All over the blogosphere ex-employees of traditional media houses pop up and look back in anger at being treated shoddily, unprofessionally or unfairly — and then employees jump in anonymously and air their exasperation and unhappiness. The SABC, News24, Avusa, e.tv, the Independent group — everytime they come up in my blogs, I get comments, SMS-s and emails from people who are mad as hell or thoroughly dejected about the treatment of staff and the way the media companies are managed.
Sacked Sunday Times columnist David Bullard is certainly not unique in his outrage at how he was treated by his former employer. What makes him different is that he is largely a man of independent means so he says the things that many wish to say but fear to because they might need work from the Big Boys in the future.
I must put my cards on the table here and say I’m also circumspect about what I say for that very reason. And for those who know me, you know I also feel bitterness about my former employer. You try to look forward and forget but it does rear its head. That’s human nature and so I feel hugely sympathetic with Bullard.
One has to ask if this is unique to the media sector in this country as it’s largely managed by ex-journalists, not business men and professional managers. Or maybe it’s because people go into journalism because they love it and then their disappointment is all the more when the companies behave… like companies. I’m not sure but I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and I’d like to hear your views. It seems to me there’s a rotten core at the heart of a wonderful industry, which is a crying shame.
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June 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I have to say that, within a few weeks of my first column appearing on Moneyweb, Alec Hogg sent me an e.mail to thank me for my contribution that week. I was so nonplussed that I didn’t reply immediately. When I did it was to thank him and explain that I had never, in 14 years at The Sunday Slimes, ever been thanked for anything I had done. I guess it all comes down to upbringing and good manners. When barbarians run a newspaper what can you expect?
June 9th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Yip, saying ‘thank you” and “well done” is a very simple thing and means so much to people. When I was at Business Day, the deputy editor, Bernard Simon, made a point of taking a turn about the news room or subs room two or three times a week to say thank you for a job well done on a particular story or headline etc. It sticks out in my memory because it is so rare.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Bernard is a good friend of my sis in law (ex journo) and now doing mega well at the FT. Just proves my point….breeding will out. The yobs at the Sunday Times just don’t have it in them to motivate people. Why should they? They are paid a fortune to be mediocre.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I TOTALLY AGREE….
And I ain’t got any problem calling a spade a spade when it comes to the media in South Africa as I have done for years now…. (not all, few get my respect for impartiality and professionalism) but most media corporations in south africa live in a moral cesspit and I have ZERO respect for htem…
Anyway, not sure if this interests you, but filed two days ago:
Official Complaint to the Press Council of South Africa: The Press Ombudsman:
Complaint Brief Overview: SAPA alleged guilty of: (i) Erroneous Reporting & Refusal to Impartially Enquire into Errors, or Correct its Erroneous Reporting; (ii) Reporting & ‘Credible News’ selection, that is Predisposed to Extreme Bias and Prejudice; and (iii) fraudulent representation, of “If SAPA knows… South Africa Knows…”
On a seperate media related issue: FYI (ps – if you disagree, perhaps you may wish to first fully inform yourself of entire complaint, prior to kneejerk reaction):
Official Legal and Political Complaint to Nobel Institute: Norwegian Nobel Committee (excerpt):
Dear Norwegian Nobel Committee,
Notice of Legal and Political Request to:
(I) Withdraw Nobel Peace Prize’s from Nelson Mandela, F.W. de Klerk, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, for (a) Intellectual Dishonesty & Hypocrisy; (b) Moral, Political and Religious Prostitution; and (c) ‘TRC-RSA’ Fraud and Betrayal; and
(II) Accept Nobel Peace Prize Nominations for Dr. Albert Bartlett; Dr. Garret James Harden, and Dr. M. King Hubbert, for Intellectually Honest and Politically Honourable Ecologically Sustainable, Human Rights, Peace and Social Justice Advocacy.
Respectfully
Lara Johnstone
July 6th, 2009 at 4:09 am
This is a great article. I’m new to blogging but still learning. Thanks for the great resource.