amaBhungane’s commitment to media freedom rings hollow

ON INTERNATIONAL Press Freedom Day, Caroline James published an article about how investigative journalism platform amaBhungane joined Independent Media to challenge a Durban High Court judgment.

- EDMOND PHIRI

However, rather than focusing solely on press freedom issues, James opened her piece with a pointed attack against Independent Media’s Chairperson, Dr Iqbal Survé. The article's arrogant, racist and paternalistic undertone was impossible to ignore.

James begins by deliberately insulting Dr Survé, stripping him of his title and referring to him by his first name — something the media never does with figures like Koos Bekker or Johann Rupert. “There are few people who hate us more than Iqbal Survé, the chairperson of Independent Media,” James opens her cynical piece, continuing with: “So why would we spend the limited resources we have fighting to defend Independent Media in court?” In framing her piece this way, amaBhungane attempts to claim moral superiority and congratulate themselves for their supposed magnanimity.

Though presented as a defence of press freedom, the article was less about press freedom and more about amaBhungane’s self-congratulation. It also revealed their paternalistic attitude in portraying themselves as a white saviour rescuing a black media house that “couldn't afford legal fees”. There was little genuine concern for the principle of free expression beyond the PR value of the courtroom contest.