Letters

In the last four paragraphs of his piece, "Back-alley politics needs to be cleaned up" (Cape Times, November 27), Allister Sparks gives a succinct analysis of the state of South African journalism. But this is merely an afterthought for he appears more concerned about the speck in the politician's eye than the log in his own industry. Sparks the political commentator is not as meticulous as Sparks the journalist.

When Frank Chikane, director-general of the President's Office, says it would be pointless to appoint a commission to pursue information state agencies have reported to the president, Sparks concludes something is fishy because, if the president knows the answer, why the commission? But who says the president knows? The state agencies do not know everything. So it is up to the commission to see if anyone among the more than 40 million other citizens knows. The commission is about what is not in the intelligence briefings and files. That is one other way of interpreting Chikane's statement.

Another point where Sparks's political commentary falls short of his high journalistic standards is when he disparages the "disturbing trend ... of politicians and rival competitors for jobs using the tactic of the undeniable smear. Playing the race card is one; playing the apartheid spy card is another." He fails to see the third practice - of which he is guilty: smearing some fellow citizens with an unprovable vengefulness, ambition and use of the race card.

Sparks says: "There is a widely held view ... Mbeki does not want Zuma to succeed him, that he would prefer someone else from within his loyalist group."

Oh really? To whom has Mbeki expressed this desire to be succeeded by a puppet? It does not make sense.

Journalists cannot get away with saying things like "there is a perception in some alliance quarters" or "it is widely believed" in this age of transparency and accountability.

They ought to make sure their sources' names may be printed before they publish.

Back-alley journalism needs to be cleaned up as well if public opinion is ever to become truly public.

Owen Sichone, University of Cape Town

With acknowledgements to Owen Sichone and the Cape Times.