Alex Mitchley

Today I read a variety of comments relating to how the story of the Durban businessman was covered. As you’ve seen, most media outlets haven’t named him. Those that did, retracted. “You’re scared.” “You’re protecting him.” “He must be Indian/white etc.” Nah. I hate crime, guys. But here’s the thing. As much as we’re operating in this space, we’re still professional journalists. There is a Criminal Procedure Act. Media law. A code of ethics. Company policies. And more. None of these things practically apply or matter to a random person with a phone, social media account and data. A little like taking your car to the agents/approved workshop, or the local backyard mechanic. You may get a similar result, but the rules, route and recourse are very different. Especially when there is a dispute. So, if you consume news, take the time to understand how it’s produced. Google/AI will educate you in seconds. 🫡