Independent or embedded

Abstract

This article explores different viewpoints about the question of journalistic independencein the current South African dispensation by taking the Presidential Press Corps (PPC)as an example. It is argued that when seen from a libertarian point of view, the PPCpresents some problems with regard to the normative ethical framework that sees mediaindependence as a position that brings the media and the government in opposition.The views of journalists and editors are canvassed to illustrate some of the concernsabout the PPC. The article concludes by suggesting different ways to view the relationshipbetween the government and the media that would not present the same ethicaldifficulties as when this relationship is viewed from an orthodox libertarian perspective.