The public interest always guides the media’s work, which describes information of legitimate interest or importance to citizens. Investigative news and local democracy reporting are generally regarded as ‘public interest journalism’, but is this always the case? For instance, a news report that uncovers a significant environmental hazard or a corruption scandal in a public institution can be considered public interest journalism. On the other hand, stating in a news report that a case was investigated without clear evidence of wrongdoing cannot automatically be regarded as public interest.
Journalism plays a critical role in promoting a healthy society. It should provide news consumers with trusted, fact-based information while remaining independent. This independence is crucial, as it ensures that the news is not influenced by personal or corporate interests. In the public’s interest, it does not mean issues or topics that the public would find interesting. It refers to matters that affect the public’s health, livelihoods, quality of life, and governance. In effect, it means the ‘common good’ and ‘societal relevance’ of the broader public and does not include what might fascinate or entertain them.
Journalism plays a central role (as a watchdog) in a democracy where the public interest is in having a safe, healthy and functional society. Investigative news reporting often challenges the powerful and stands up for the powerless, but the coverage must adhere to the basic principles of fairness, accuracy, truthfulness, accountability, independence, and humanity. This means that the accused must also be given the right to reply, ensuring that all sides of the story are presented, and the public can form an informed opinion.
The media should not be seen as becoming involved in a smear campaign with a personal agenda or family fallouts. The press should not intrude into people’s private lives without being shown and seen as in the broader public interest.
The valuable website, www.mediahelpingmedia.org gives some justifications for public interest justifications where the published story:
- Correct a significant wrong;
- Bring to light information affecting public well-being and safety;
- Improve the public’s understanding of and participation in the debate about an important issue relevant to society;
- Lead to greater accountability and transparency in public life.
THE CASE OF KWASIZABANTU MISSION – THE NEWS24 REPORTAGE
The media onslaught on the KwaSizabantu Mission, a controversial religious institution, was not in the public’s interest and lacked the abovementioned prerequisites (bullet points). The media got involved in a family fallout and subsequent smear campaign driven by ‘disgruntled former workers and embittered family members’, as exposed by the Noseweek investigative magazine. The ongoing onslaught suggests an agenda. Most importantly, no evidence was provided for any of the allegations published.
