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Journalism a perfect antidote for the misinformation ‘pandemic’

05 May 2020 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Supplied

margaret photo (1) — Margaret Linström has been teaching journalism at the UFS for almost a decade.

The credibility of journalism is facing an unprecedented threat around the world, and even more so during the current Covid-19 pandemic. With the reality of fake news and misinformation via social media platforms it has created a situation which can only be addressed through a free press.

According to Margaret Linström, freelance journalist and lecturer in journalism in the Department of Communication Science at the University of the Free State (UFS): The role of journalists has become even more important during the Covid-19 pandemic when the lives of people literally depend on accurate and credible information.

“Having access to accurate information can mean the difference between life and death during this global crisis,” says Linström

It is therefore fitting that the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2020) is Journalism without fear or favour, as many journalists are currently engaging in possible life-threatening missions to honour the commitment of providing verified, scientific, fact-based news and analysis and bringing the news to the people. “World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1993. “The day was inspired by the efforts of African journalists who called for media pluralism and independence,” says Linström

The day serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect the commitment they have to press freedom.

Is Covid-19 redefining journalism?

The defined role of journalists must never change and should therefore be no different during a global crisis, which is “to inform, investigate, analyse, provide multiple perspectives, and build democracy.” The changes the pandemic could impose on journalism will most likely only become apparent after some time, which is why the International Center for Journalists, a non-profit organisation, has already launched an international study on how Covid-19 is transforming the industry.

“Probably the most interesting innovation is how journalists are managing to report on the pandemic from their homes. This is of course only possible as a result of technological advances,” says Linström. She also notes that infographics used in the media are increasingly becoming a large part of the news coverage around statistics and “it is important to place these statistics in context for the readers, which is often best done by way of a visual representation like comparing the infection rates of different countries”.

In South Africa, the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism is an active media player that is keeping an eye open in terms of trustworthy news but also innovation in reporting. It is an independent media organisation which has been doing commendable work since the start of the pandemic.

Misinformation a second pandemic

With the continued spread of Covid-19 there is a second pandemic which has spread alongside it, that of fake news and misinformation or distorted truth. “These can range from harmful to downright deadly health advice, to outrageous conspiracy theories. The only way to address this second pandemic is for the media to provide accurate, scientific, fact-based news and analysis,” says Linström.

The Covid-19 pandemic reminds us of the importance of a free and independent press that reports verified information to the public, and holds those in power accountable. Linström, who has more than 20 years of journalism experience, says that lies and propaganda are not new concepts – “what is new is the ease with which any Dick, Tom or Harry can create fake news and the speed and ease with which it spreads globally”, she says.

Having been a journalism academic for the past 10 years Linström stresses that journalists can combat fake news by “using basic skills of fact-checking and verification and providing the public with news that trustworthy, timely and unbiased. To put it succinctly, journalism is the weapon of change as a result of information having been weaponised”.

News Archive

Regional Conference on Trafficking in Human Beings

2007-06-29

Trafficking in Human Beings:
National and International Perspectives

Date: 17th August 2007
Address: CR Swart Auditorium, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Every year thousands of children and adults become victims of trafficking and abuse in South Africa and throughout the southern African region. Victims are trafficked for a myriad of reasons: sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography; illegal labour, including child conscription; domestic servitude; illegal adoptions; body parts/organs; and forced marriages.

The Unit for Children’s Rights, Department of Criminal and Medical Law, University of the Free State (UFS), together with the Centre for Continuing Legal Education at UFS, will host a Regional Conference on Trafficking in Human Beings. The conference will bring together key role-players from the South African government as well as crucial international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the region.

Trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, is a serious violation of the human rights of the victims, as well as an extremely profitable source of income to organized crime, and needs the attention and intervention of both governmental and non-governmental institutions in South Africa.

Speakers will include representatives from the United National Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the South African Law Reform Commission, the Unit for Children’s Rights-UFS, and NGOs Molo Songololo and Terre Des Homes, that work with child trafficking victims in South Africa and around the world.

The media are invited to report on the conference, and interview speakers and presenters Attached find programme. For more info contact the following persons.

1. Beatri Kruger - 051 401 2108 / email: krugerh.rd@mail.ufs.ac.za
2. Susan Kreston - 051 401 9562 / email: krestons.rd@mail.ufs.ac.za
3. Elizabeth Snyman – 051 401 2268 / email: snymane.rd@mail.ufs.ac.za

Programme

Trafficking in human beings:
National & international perspectives

Presented by The Unit for Children’s Rights, Department Of Criminal & Medical Law , Faculty of Law, in Conjunction with The Centre for Continuing Legal Education, University of the Free State.

Funded through the Generosity of the United States Department of State

17 AUGUST, 2007 – CR SWART AUDITORIAM

8:00-8:30 Registration & Tea
8:30-8:45 Opening & Welcome
Prof. JJ Henning, Faculty of Law
8:45-9:40 Overview & Global Perspective
Prof. Susan Kreston - Unit for Children’s Rights, Faculty of Law-UFS

9:40-10:00 TEA

10:00-10:45 International Perspectives & the Role of Organized Crime in Trafficking
Wiesje Zikkenheiner, Associate Expert
United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, Pretoria
10:45-11:45 Identifying and Assisting Victims of Trafficking
Marija Nikolovska, Project Officer
International Organization for Migration, Pretoria

11:45-12:30 LUNCH

12:30-1:15 Prosecuting Trafficking Without Trafficking Laws
Adv. Nolwandle Qaba, Sexual Offences & Community Affairs Unit
National Prosecuting Authority, Pretoria
1:15-2:15 Recommendations for New Legislation in South Africa
Lowesa Stuurman - South African Law Reform Commission, Pretoria

2:15-2:30 TEA

2:30-2:50 The Role of Terre Des Homes in Fighting Trafficking in Children
Judith Mthombeni– Terre Des Homes, Pretoria
2:50-3:50 Trafficking in Children in South Africa – A Front Line Perspective
Patrick Solomon - Molo Songololo, Cape Town
3:50-4:00 Closing Remarks
Adv. Beatri Kruger
Department of Criminal & Medical Law - UFS

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