“For example, if the media want certain information on HIV/Aids, most of the times the department spokesperson is unable to provide accurate information, so you have to get it from the minister herself,” Mbele said, adding that this kind of communication mismanagement badly affects the relationship between the state and the media.
George Mazarakis, Carte Blanche executive producer, echoed Mbele's sentiments, saying: “All Government PROs are… lazy spin doctors who not only lack creativity to convey their messages but also protect their ministers and whatever lies they are supposed to tell the nation.”
But Panyaza Lesufi, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (Scorpions) rejected Mbele and Mazarakis' accusations, saying that the SA media is not interested in the Government projects and plans, such as poverty eradication, providing shelter and other matters of social interest.
“All they do is to attack the Government, especially about processes involving service delivery, and then they will come up with terms such as ‘lack of capacity,” Lesufi added.
Mazarakis denied that the media is out to attack the state. “We do not attack the Government but our right is to interrogate the Government and it is its fundamental duty to respond.
“What is the point of having a freedom of speech in the country? It helps to freely ask relevant questions in the aim of informing the very same people who put the Government in power.
“I fail to understand why the Government does not want to be asked questions, and sees this process as an act of treason.”
Asked if the government regards the media as an enemy, Lesufi replied: “They are not the enemy but we see them as a group of people that one needs to manage carefully, and most of all we are asking them to respect the leadership.”
The ‘Spin and the Media Conference', organised by the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) in conjunction with the Broadcast Development Group (BDG), has been looking at ways of solving problems that hamper transparent and ethical media communications and reporting.
Delegates from as far as Namibia and Botswana are also attending the event, which is set to end today, Wednesday, 18 July 2007.
Furthermore, as the relationship between the two camps deteriorate even further, the media blame spin doctors of Government and corporate sector for ‘spinning' on a regular basis by providing them with untrue, half-true and inaccurate facts, and using ‘delaying tactics' to drag issues deemed to be of prime national interest.
However, former Mail & Guardian journalist and current Sasol spokesperson Marina Bidoli – once a fierce defender of truth – is, ironically, now defending the elite and spin doctors.
She told delegates: “Remember that the media is a fragmented diverse group that has no vested interest in the success of your business. Journalists, like activists, create and amplify outrage. Many are poorly-trained, sensational and biased, and their stories are allegation-driven.
“In adversarial climate, hit back if you are wronged. Litigate.”
But, in his presentation ‘The do's and dont's of media communication', Freek Robinson, of the SABC, reminded communicators of the media's powerful role in society.
“The media is not your enemy, but a part of society's fabric and an instrument for the benefit of all. “
“It helps to make an open society work. So make it work for you.”
