Gov wants a mouthpiece? Never!

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: The "government outfit vying for the Independent Group has laughed off concerns it wants a state mouthpiece," reports Mail & Guardian. So that's all right then... Not. 24 May 2013 09:12

It's Clarkson... again

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Jeremy Clarkson done it again, this time on the subject of babies and aircraft, reports IOL, and we have a couple of YouTube videos, one courtesy The Citizen, for you on close encounters of a different kind - including a demonstration that elephants break windows, and booze and these giants are not a good mix (video). 23 May 2013 08:13

Pule wants in on SABC board appointments

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Communications Minister Dina Pule wants to be in on SABC board appointments, reports Mail & Guardian, which also reports that both the ANC and the DA are upset over a BBC programme on the plight of SA whites. MyBroadband reports on the hack attack on the SAPS website, and the SABC says that TV and radio presenter Vuyo Mbuli will be given a provincial official funeral. 22 May 2013 07:52

Reddy, steady... Stop

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: The press ombudsman has dismissed Durban tycoon Vivian Reddy's complaint against the Mail & Guardian newspaper in its entirety, the newspaper reports, and Icasa is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, reports BD Live. On a sad note, SABC television and radio presenter Vuyo Mbuli has died, reports Times Live. 20 May 2013 05:59

SABC3 sex slip-up

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: SABC3 has landed in hot water for not placing the correct age restriction on the All My Children soapie, reports IOL, and Lisa Hiemer, writing in journalism.co.za, reports on a new study that shows surprisingly strong investigative journalism in independent local papers in three provinces. 17 May 2013 07:26

Guptagag

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: The Gupta family isn't going to talk to the media until the report on its guests landing at Waterkloof is finalised, reports Mail & Guardian, and BD Live reports the DA is urging Zuma not to sign the secrecy bill. The ConCourt has reserved judgment on media's access to the Krejcir hearing, reports Mail & Guardian, and IOL reports that a Sun reporter has been charged in the UK hacking probe. 15 May 2013 07:29

And he wasn't even there...

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Glitches in the voting on the POIB included a vote being recorded for a former MP who hasn't actually been in Parliament for a while, and a few who also weren't even there for the vote, reports Times Live. 30 Apr 2013 07:48

Oh No! Jomo Sono blackmails Dina?

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Communications Minister Dina Pule has blamed soccer legend Jomo Sono for what she alleges is a 'smear campaign' against her, reports City Press; meanwhile Stephen Grootes, writing for BD Live, suggests Pule might have reason to fear Zuma's next press conference. Mail & Guardian reports on the ANC's reaction to the DA's call for a redo on last week's POIB vote, and on IOL, Murray Williams asks whether porn is worse than many other industries? 29 Apr 2013 08:14

See you in court, POIB

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: As expected, the controversial Protection of State Information Bill has been passed in the National Assembly, but will probably face a challenge in the Constitutional Court, reports Mail & Guardian, while Rebecca Hodes, writing in Daily Maverick, takes ASASA to task over the Xpanda ad that critics reckon is racist. In IOL, Caxton non-executive chairman Paul Jenkins says that established news outlets are not stifling the smaller players. 26 Apr 2013 08:22

MPs adopt POIB report

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: As expected, MPs have adopted the Protection of State Information Bill report, reports Mail & Guardian, and in BD Live, Allister Sparks recounts how the late Mervyn Rees helped change the course of SA history - by doing exactly what many critics of the POIB believe the bill is designed to stamp out. 24 Apr 2013 06:41

Ever wondered how Dina's Mindworx?

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: MyBroadband, quoting the Sunday Times, reports how Communications Minister Dina Pule allegedly bypassed Treasury rules to appoint an employment firm, Mindworx, to handle key appointments to various parastatals, such as the SABC. MyBroadband also reports how the internet's amateur sleuths got involved in hunting the Boston bombers. Madiba has taken over Times Square reports BD Live, which also reports that Cell C is looking for a father figure, and you'd better ensure your PC is protected, reports Digital Trends. 22 Apr 2013 06:25

TopTV a porn... pawn?!

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Mergan Moodley, founder of On Digital Media (ODM), which owns TopTV, claims that the station is a pawn in some political game the IDC is playing, reports Mail & Guardian, and Financial Mail wonders what's behind Iqbal Survé's R2bn purchase of Independent Newspapers & Media SA (INM SA). 19 Apr 2013 09:00

How to be 'appy in Iceland...

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Dating in Iceland can be a little risky - you could be involved in a bit of incest without knowing it - until now, reports News.com.au; and closer to home, Dina Pule is concerned about the delay in finalising digital TV access control. 18 Apr 2013 07:40