Persverantwoordelikheid en rekenskap/ (Press responsibility and accountability)

Abstract

The author discusses Press responsibility against the backdrop of the social responsibility theory. Two introductory facets are briefly discussed: the task of the press to render a service to the public, and the way in which this service is rendered. The identification of the functions as well as the disfunctions of the Press are discussed. Accountability of the Press in society is discussed in the context of the Press being seen as a necessary prerequisite for democracy. The author postulates three definite types of accountability: accountability to the public; accountability to the authorities; accountability to the Press itself. Certain conclusions are drawn by the author, among others the historically determined development of the contemporary Press and how this affects the aforementioned accountability, as well as the dogmasticity of both the Afrikaans and the English Press at opposite poles of truthful reportage and the unhealthy situation that arises as a result of this. The author concludes that the South African Press only partly fulfils its task and the responsibility which accompanies this task, and that no Press can fulfil this task if the sword of Government intervention is poised above its neck.