A lot of mense don’t like the Daily Voice.
It’s too rof en onbeskof for some people’s taste.
Tabloid newspapers are not for faint-hearted, conservative types.
They’re loud, in-your-face and what’s the word that often pops up? Sensational.
Media sensationalism is defined as “the presentation of stories in a way that is intended to provoke public interest or excitement, at the expense of accuracy”.
Just on that “at the expense of accuracy” part, please note that tabloid newspapers are not a law unto themselves.
The Daily Voice is obliged to abide by the same press code and media laws that govern other newspapers, radio, TV and the internet.
So whether we like it or not, we have to strive to be accurate, fair and balanced in our reporting.
And when we don’t, we have to publish apologies and retractions, which is never a nice thing to do.
The upside of sensationalism is definitely the “provoke public interest and excitement” part, which, you must admit, the Voice does to good effect.
Just think of our coverage of the Courtney Pieters case.
Had it not been for the hard-hitting stories and inescapable headlines, the Elsies River girl’s shocking murder might not have made the national agenda.
But we gave the case the full “skrik vir niks” treatment, we made a helluva noise that could be heard in the Union Buildings.
Even dikvel Jacob Zuma had to sit up and take notice.
So the President and his Minister of Police decided to personally make the trip to Elsies to intervene.
They rolled up with their royal entourage, pockets stuffed with long speeches and R10 000 in cash.
They made Juanita Pieters feel right at home – literally.
Many people might not have appreciated the gesture of giving Courtney’s mom a new house, when there are countless families on the Cape Flats who have been through similar tragedies.
Call it koeping gevriet, political points-scoring, or a diversion to the Gupta state capture saga.
But the point is that, through “sensational” journalism, our leaders are now taking the plight of violence against women and children in our communities seriously.
Minister Fikile Mbalula even opened a new satellite police station in Elsies this week.
Kwaai, ne?
Then it was Premier Helen Zille and Social Development MEC Albert Fritz’s turn to do their bit for Child Protection Week.
Zille- hulle took part in a walkabout in Beacon Valley where they plucked unsupervised laaities off the streets and hauled them home to their mommies, who got lekker uitgeskel by the Premier.
Good job. Why can’t it always be like this?
Now that our leaders have skrikked wakker, it’s the media’s job to ensure that they keep it up.
But back to “sensational journalism”.
It’s true, bad news sells. But when it’s not accurate, people won’t buy it for long. Mense are not stupid.
The right kind of sensationalism is the type that reflects the reality of people’s lives – their issues, hopes and fears.
And what do people care about most of all?
The safety of their loved ones, especially that of their children.