South Africa's response to 'The Spear' has clearly revealed that we are still a very divided and hurting nation. Our need for mercy rather than judgement in our public discourse has never been greater. Listening to Ferial Haffajee's interview on John Robbie's show this morning reminded me of a Jack Johnson song called 'The News'. One refrain from the song particularly stood out to me:
"Why don't the newscasters cry when they read about people who die?
At least they could be decent enough to put just a tear in their eyes"
The lyrics of this song emphasize, for me, that truth is by nature relational. I am grateful to Ms. Haffajee that she is not so hung up the news that she looses sight of the people involved.
As a nation we have been debating the role of the media and whether is should be allowed to self regulate. Could this be an example of what a self regulated press in a constitutional democracy could look like? I think the action taken by Ms. Haffajee and City Press newspaper to offer an 'olive branch' is commendable. I sincerely hope that our ruling party exhibits the same level of integrity and responds in kind.
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