making money should never happen at the expense of humanity. the extreme capitalism that is prevading our countrey right now is no good for any but the privelaged few such as tokyo and the gang.

I work in media and have for the past few months been voicing the same opinion. Having to tell my 10 year old what the headlines mean is mortifying and goes against all my parenting values. She is not an over protected child, she knows about drugs, AIDS and what she needs to protect herself from harm. But I really don't think she needs to think about teenage rape, penises being cut off, sensational murders or children drowing in "KAK" as was a recent headline. Their worlds are young an innocent for a precious time, we have to keep it that way. Where to turn?

I had the misfortune of being handed a free copy of Die Son when it was first launched in PE but will never read another copy. I use Die Son as an example of poor marketing when lecturing marketing to NMMU students. The moral standards in SA are bad enough as they are without publishers reporting in a way that makes depraved behaviour seem normal.

The right to freedom of expression includes the right NOT TO HAVE TO be assaulted by offensive content you can't escape. All banners and billboards obliterate this right - we can't switch it off.

Who decides what is offensive and what the public needs to know? I would imagine the Film and Publications Board, the Press Council (or the SA equivalent) and... the public by choosing to switch off, not purchase subhuman drivel like the Sun and Voice etc. But you are all right - you can't turn off Billboards. And the Sun and its ilk most certainly should be made to tone down theirs as a result. Using terms like Moffie is also bordering on hate speech too - they need to adjust their act big time, you're right: but who's to tell them? And will they listen? A petition sounds a fine idea...

The Daily Voice is far worse than Son. Why do you not mention that publication? Or is your attack purely aimed at Son. Why?

I totally agree with all the comments, its a shame that the filth is advertised on the street poles. Fortunately my kids dont get to see the sick ads, but I dont like it for myself! Monkey see monkey do is the mentality it promotes. The more sensational and degrading the better - has MEDIA 24 got any sense of responsiblity????

As far as i know SON has re-launched their paper where they have 'censored' some of the content including the page 3 girl which is not nude anymore. maybe you should buy a copy of the 'new' paper and have a look.

Why lift a toilet lid when you have a good idea (from the poster headlines) of what you will find inside?

Dear Jaqueline,



I know you feel strongly about these posters and also that you believe fundamentally in freedom of the press and their right to print and publish.



This is a case where your beliefs in freedom of the press and its right to print and publish trump your feelings about the posters.



The words you complain about can be found in any dictionary and are in everyday use. Newspapers use these words to describe common events in our society and we cannot stop them from using them. That would be contrary to our beliefs in freedom of the press that is guaranteed in the country's constitution. The words do not contravene the South African Press Code that guides the newspapers and the Ombudsman's Office.



Unfortunately therefore we cannot take up your complaint.



I am copying this correspondence to the editor of Die Son for his information.



Wishing you well with your child's education,



Joe Thloloe

Press Ombudsman

The Press Ombudsman is missing the point. In the public sphere, of which posters-on-street-poles is as public as can be, freedom of expression is not as free as he makes it out to be. This freedom is not absolute and the right to print and publish has to judged in context. The Ombudsman’s Office is also guided by
"A newspaper has wide discretion in matters of taste but this does not justify lapses of taste so repugnant as to bring the freedom of the press into disrepute or be extremely offensive to the public." (1.11)

The arrogance of the press as reflected in its strategy of pestering the public with a certain type of street poster message, makes a mockery of phrases like “accuracy, balance, fairness and decency” and “vigilant self-regulation is the hallmark of a free and independent press” as can be found in the Preamble of the Press Code of Professional Practice.

All too often the press hides behind its right to be free to inform while actually being absorbed in promotion strategies to maximise its profit.

Poor Grammar and even more offensive Headlines - Sick!

I am not a parent but think that if the government is serious about building a strong, healthy nation (as some government officials have called for, some time ago), then they must agree that there is no need for that kind of journalism. How can The Son claim to be making a responsible contribution to this call?

Die son is not shining. and etv's late night porn and their stripping mobile phone ads can piss off too.

but will it get better or is it going to get worse?

I don't like your piss off comment... just like the posters

Although it may help to vent our anger and frustration at the publisher, this is not an issue about what The Papers Said, it is the City Council (as the Road Authority) who are responsible for what may be Said or displayed along the road side. They take the money for the advertisements.

In the UK, the Road Authority has a legal responsibility to ensure the “ambience” of the highway is protected, lest they face litigation for accidents, offence or other events caused by the type of poster you have identified. There were many precedents.

I am an Afrikaan speaking woman, in my early twenties, and a also had the misfortune of the reading 'Die Son' when it was first released.
They use the worst Afrikaans I have seen in my life! I cant grasp how the editor passed Afrikaans as a subject, never mind publish a news paper! I guess that is why that newspaper is in such a state. I dont care if 'Die Son' has had a makeover, it should be banned!
This newspaper loves exploiting inocent girls and only all the bad stuff happening in SA.

I remember watching porn on public television, in the middle of the afternoon, while on holiday in Paris a few years ago.

Were actually a clean and decent lot compared to others.

I have been in the media for 25 years - newspapers, wire agencies, magazines. And yes, I suppose like many of my ilk, I often think of myself in that hackneyed term: a hardened hack.
But I simply cannot accept what is thrown in our children's faces day after day by these tabloids. The Press Ombudsman has completely missed the point. We have no choice but to see these billboards as we park at traffic lights, shopping centres, anywhere.
It reeks of the dumbing down of our nation. Fine, try and be smart and witty, but be clever about it at the same time.

This is a disgrace. how far does freedom of speech stretch?