A journalist can spend the morning chasing a municipal response, the afternoon interviewing a grieving family, and the evening writing about a local resident doing something extraordinary.

For readers, the finished story may take only a few minutes to read. Behind those few paragraphs, however, are conversations, unanswered calls, uncomfortable questions, verification, deadlines and, sometimes, a journalist having to push past their own fears to tell a story.

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As the world marked World News Day on September 28, Caxton Local Media journalists reflected on what the job means to them and some of the misconceptions surrounding the people behind the bylines.

For Alex News journalist Itumeleng Maloka, the rise of social media has made access to information easier, but it has also made the distinction between verifiable information and false information more difficult.

“The essence of what we do is in the discipline of the verification process,” he said.

Maloka said journalism is not simply about disseminating information, but ensuring that the information is fact-based, accurate, fair, and objective.

He also knows that the work can be difficult to explain to people who only see the final product. Journalists covering deaths and other traumatic events can face criticism for asking families how they feel.

Maloka said journalists cannot simply assume what someone is feeling and write it into a story. “Our job is not to put words into people’s mouth,” he said.

He said journalists themselves are human and are also exposed to the circumstances they cover. Yet among the difficult stories are moments that keep him going.

Maloka said he particularly enjoys telling the stories of people who are defying the odds in their communities.

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His work has also changed how he sees Alexandra.

While the township faces challenges including crime, pollution, and illegal dumping, Maloka said there are residents working every day to improve their community.

“Alexandra people do care about Alexandra, and they want it to work,” he said.

Reporting on local impact

Northcliff Melville Times journalist Neo Phashe believes World News Day is worth celebrating. “This is because it celebrates the work that goes into being a journalist and a person who gathers information for their community,” she said.

She said the day also reinforces the credibility, importance, and relevance of journalism within communities. But that work is often misunderstood.

One misconception, Phashe said, is that gathering news has become easy because of social media, where members of the public can post information themselves.

“There is that assumption that news comes easy,” Phashe said. “That is not the case; most of the time, we have to keep our ears to the ground and research.”

Another misconception is that journalists are naturally confident people who have no reservations about approaching strangers and asking questions.

“There’s still that anxiety that comes along with writing that article, gathering that news, talking to those people,” she said.

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The community itself has also taught Phashe that there is no single type of story readers want.

Rosebank Killarney Gazette journalist Asanda Matlhare said the day highlights the role journalists play in a young democracy, including holding people accountable and questioning whether government is delivering services to the people who need them.

“It’s a thankless job. It’s a calling,” Matlhare said.

Covering Rosebank has also taught Matlhare that residents care about their community, but she believes they have a role to play.

“It does not help to bring a matter to a journalist, but you do not want anything to do with it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sandton Chronicle journalist Dudu Khumalo finds joy in the lighter side of community journalism.

“I grew up watching those lifestyle shows on television showing all the glitz and glam,” Khumalo said. “I said to myself that is where I am heading. I love meeting new people and exploring new places.”

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