When the facts get in the way of a good story

The villain was the infamous Hlaudi Motsoeneng, known for coining words such as 'hullabaloo' and unashamedly reviving news censorship. But more and more I began to realize, that the state of affairs begs a broader discussion, and that questions around how all of us assemble and present facts must be spoken about and dissected. 

On the 20th of July, coincidently the same day the SABC reversed its decision to censor violence during protests, the Beeld newspaper reported on a - "not-in-my-name" - walkout at the embattled public broadcaster. RSG's Ivor Price had spilled the beans in an article on Netwerk24 - Media24's Afrikaans online publication. 

His remarks of Motsoeneng's 'poisonous tentacles' subsequently formed part of the front-page article. The article, by no journalist in particular, reported on Price's remarks on how Motsoeneng's undue influence was something that would remain long after he was gone.

The article stated the reasons for Price's departure was not solely based on the concerning goings on at the public broadcaster and that he would always remain grateful for the opportunities it offered. He also wrote in his article that he resigned at the end of June after accepting another offer.

But the paper neglected to mention that Price's article for Netwerk24, was the first for his new employer. 

The nameless reporter of the front page article - perhaps oblivious to the company's own internal affairs - failed to disclose the fact that Price had discussed and by all accounts accepted an offer before he submitted his resignation at the end of June. Instead the newspaper reported that Price had not disclosed his new employer as of yet.

Price too failed to mention his concerns over the draconian work environment at his former employer. In his resignation letter, the SABC confirmed, Price not only thanked it for the opportunity to work there, but also offered to stay on past the 30-day resignation period to avail himself until after the August 3rd elections. This was, as we have now established, after the SABC announced its decision in May not to broadcast violent protests. His reason stated for leaving was simply that he had accepted employment elsewhere.

Channel24, with a photo of Price holding up a page with the printed phrase: #notinmyname, also reported on the Wednesday how the public broadcaster "threw its own SABC TV News anchor on SABC2 and RSG presenter, Ivor Price, out the building for expressing his opinion." After the controversies News24 posted a short article on a statement by Media24 at 18:15 saying: "Just a day after announcing his resignation from the SABC, former news anchor Ivor Price was appointed by Media24." Here the emphasis is on "after".

I managed to get hold of Price a week ago only hours after he left the Johannesburg Labour Court where his colleagues challenged their dismissals. When asked whether he could comment on his departure from the SABC, he said he could only grant interviews after the 7th of August as he was still employed by the SABC… He has however expressed his unhappiness with the manner in which his new colleagues reported on his departure. 

When a seasoned journalist questioned the way in which Price was thrown out of the SABC on Facebook - he responded to her post - saying he has never stated that that happened, and that he had no control over how the facts of the story were presented. He went further to state that some of the information presented was not factually correct. 

Media24 responded to a request for an interview by stating that it was simply too busy at this time to discuss Price's appointment.

Whether Price had used the security of his new job to orchestrate his public exit, or whether his new employer conveniently omitted inconvenient facts to drive a certain narrative about the SABC - regardless - the evidence shows the challenges facing free, ethical journalism extends beyond the beleaguered public broadcaster. 

Price has publicly stood by his colleagues at the SABC and has been very vocal via social media on the goings on at the SABC. 

But judging from the timeline of events, he did that with the full knowledge that he is walking into a new job and security, and unlike them and others still working at the SABC, would not face any action.  He did not risk losing his job, because he already had another one. 

My plea is therefore a simple one - with anyone in a newsroom anywhere, especially those in editorial positions, to not let a good story get in the way of facts. Adhere to the principles that inspired you in journalism school and make sure you have your own ducks in a row, before pointing out the pollution in the pond across the road. 

Note: According to Media24, Price has been appointed as manager for business innovation and special projects for the company's Afrikaans print publications.

Written by Pieter van der Merwe, JacarandaFM journalist