So history has been made. Llewellyn Kriel has been fired from the Sowetan for his writings in his Thought Leader blog. At a hearing held at Avusa (Johncom) on Thursday afternoon, November 29, his contract of employment was formally terminated. While this was not unexpected, the first firing of a South African journalist for what […]
Media
Posted inBusiness, Media, News/Politics
On making history or making a difference
Yesterday I made history. But it’s a distinction I can do without. I became the first South African to be fired for blogging. It’s a dangerous thing, this blogging. Even if your judge doesn’t have the foggiest idea what a blog is; even if he thinks sub-editors are not journalists and even if he thinks […]
Posted inMedia
Blogger of the Week: SA’s first media blog casualty
Later today, history will be made when, for the first time, a South African journalist will be punished for blogging. A hearing is due to be held at Avusa (formerly Johnnic Communications) at 3pm today (Thursday) to decide the fate of a Sowetan sub-editor, who has been found guilty of ”gross misconduct” for what he […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media
There’s a Kindle on my wish list
There is a new technology in our midst, and once again old-school thinking is about to get a serious shake-up. Kindle is a new gadget, available from Amazon.com, that allows digital books to be downloaded and read on the go. The device is sexy, smart and intuitive. It also apparently offers a very good reading […]
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A world without sub-editors
I have, stored away safely in my head, a list of people who should be dragged into the street and shot. Don’t worry — I am not declaring war on women, Jews, lesbians, Russians, Republicans, rightwingers or communists. It’s simply a list of those around me who were seemingly born missing a significant quantity of […]
Posted inMedia, Tech
The changing face of identity
In her fascinating and important study Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet (1995), Sherry Turkle — professor of the sociology of science at MIT (at the time) and cyber-psychoanalytical theorist — explores the social and psychological effects of the internet on its users. One of her startling findings is that […]
Posted inMedia
The ‘gross misconduct’ of blogging
It is one of the most bizarre, frustrating and terrifying experiences to have to defend yourself for doing precisely what you have been trained and employed to do. At my rather outlandish and constitutionally questionable disciplinary hearing last week, I found I often had to pinch myself so weird it all was. My fellow employee […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Independent Newspapers censors, withdraws and censors again
Today, Business Report, which is inserted in a number of Independent Newspapers daily publications across the country, carries a censored advert on its back page from the End Occupation Campaign (EOC). The ad was censored by the newspaper company. The EOC — a coalition of Palestine solidarity groups, faith-based organisations such as the South African […]
Posted inBusiness, Media
Johncom may have a winner in the Times
Johncom, soon to be renamed Avusa, has for the first time released details about the cost of its two new print titles, the Weekender and the Times. The company spent R33-million from April to September improving its online offerings and launching the two new titles, CEO Prakash Desai said during the company’s interim results announcement […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Forget the quality of journalism, let’s talk about the audience
Time and time again I hear it said that the quality of journalism is deteriorating in South Africa. Frankly this is rubbish — what is declining is the quality of the audience. The source of this criticism is a society that has become a carcass of fat and bone with very little meat. The sad […]
Posted inMedia
I love that damn meerkat, Croc sandals and Ronald Suresh Roberts
The world of social media and social networking likes nothing better than an underdog. No, not to rise to its defence, but to gang up against it. One of the most successful special interest groups on Facebook is called “I Dont care How Comfortable Crocs Are, You Look Like A Dumbass”. It has no less […]
Posted inBusiness, Lifestyle, Media
Blogging the road to international design success
Blogging has opened up a remarkable new vista of opportunity for designers, artists and crafters to tap into overseas trends and market their work internationally, but it seems that few South Africans are taking notice. One exception is Heather Moore, a self-taught illustrator and fabric designer. Working out of her studio in Long Street, Cape […]