We can but only salute the bravery of young up-and-coming researcher journalist Michelle Solomon, who has publically chosen to take on Avusa and the Sunday Times over a matter of a not-so-small report "said to detail the systemic gatekeeping and policy failures of the Sunday Times newsroom", compiled in December 2008 by an independent panel, after the Sunday newspaper was "forced to make some embarrassing high-profile story retractions in 2007 and 2008." Solomon, in a column published on The Daily Maverick and republished here on Bizcommunity.com with permission, details the whole process and rationale for having served Avusa with a Promotion of Access to Information Act application in order to gain access to the report. (Another brave Maverick journalist is Mandy de Waal: have you read her column yet on Fear and loathing at Beeld?) In the meantime, the Mail & Guardian last week released its editorial code of ethics and has asked its readers to hold it to it. On the advertising side, the Vodacom/Cell C (and other guerrilla marketers) red vs black 'war' is heating up, and in between 'stuff the branding, improve your service first!' cries of frustration, promises to provide much entertainment to those who aren't experiencing a major sense-of-humour failure, thanks to network issues. It was also industry legend John Farquhar's 83rd birthday yesterday, and Bizcommunity joins in on wishing him a happy birthday. Time sure flies, since it seems like it was just the other day we were all wishing him a happy 80th! Also in our thoughts is South African photographer Anton Hammerl, who was detained in Libya last week along with three other journalists, and we trust and hope that they will all be released soon. Sterkte! Simone Puterman (@SimoneBiz) Managing editor PS Don't forget to look out for various industry folk blogging here on Biz this week from various events around the world. We South Africans sure get around!
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