Realities of the Bottomline

by Bate Felix

For young journalists invited to the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) seminar last Friday, the event could be billed as a rude awakening to the realities of the profession.

The seminar, held at the Media24 Park, had as theme: “A Review of the media in the first decade of democracy”, had as invited speakers, key leaders and stakeholders in the media industry.

A central question that emerged was; should journalists concern themselves with the bottom line; that is, realise they are in a business and act accordingly and also how does this impact their work.

The remark by Trevor Ncube, publisher of the Mail and Guardian “…at times we journalists make the wrong assumption that we are not interested in the bottom line”, left more than one in the attendance worried.

This is because he “unashamedly” advocated for the end of the Chinese wall that separates the business arm of the journalism- advertisement, and the editorial, which is content driven.

He said, “In essence the media business is defending the bottom line… and it’s about time journalists look at themselves as business people”.

This goes against everything young journalists are taught, especially the revered separation between advertorials and editorials. But not every speaker in the panel agreed with Trevor.

Mzimkhulu Malunga, business manager of Business Day and Financial Mail disagrees; He contended that the Chinese wall must stand- “editors and journalists must be protected from those who drive the bottom line” he said.

Joel Netshitenze, CEO of GCIS cited the pursuit of the bottom line as one of the threat hovering over the media in South Africa, and journalism in particular- as it greatly influences what editors think.

Since most editors have become shareholders, they put profit first… “Adhering to the bottom line instead of the bottom of the story,” he said

A recommendation, by Trevor Ncube, that young journalists should be trained in business and finance, so that they will be able to know what is happening, was also met with disapproval from the other panellists.

Focusing on the bottom line has lead to cost cutting, and the streamlining of most newsrooms. Old experienced journalist and subs have been let to go because they cannot be afforded.

Veteran journalist Allister Sparks decried these trends, blaming the over focus on achieving the bottom line.

This has led to the “juniorisation” of the newsroom as young and inexperienced journalists are placed in beats of responsibility where they have no mastery of the subject matter.

This has lead to what he called “micro-wave journalism”, as young journalist are forced to churn out up to “seven stories per day”, all on ready made templates and of low and dubious quality.

Jon Qwelane concluded that because of this, “journalism has gone to the dogs but the problem is that the dogs don’t want it”.

“What happens today is that we have people who are less skilled in crafting stories for the readers but are good in crunching numbers” he said.