As a political analyst, I interact and converse with journalists from various mediums and agencies on a daily basis. I fully trust that this continual interaction also exists between journalists and other political analysts. The role of journalists is “to report as it is”.
The primary task of analysts is to offer a balanced, critical and constructive appraisal of evolving trends, events and phenomena. It is anticipated that journalists and analysts would, at times, work together on a range of topical and pertinent societal issues. Journalists and analysts contribute immensely to community enlightenment and knowledge dissemination.
Journalists constitute “the functional heart of journalism” without which the broader media fraternity ceases to exist. I’m constantly inspired by many journalists who perform their duties diligently, ethically, honestly and impartially. But I’m often disheartened by a few delinquent journalists who do not invoke these qualities in their duties.
It must be noted that that radio and TV presenters, newspaper reporters, online news reporters, editors and producers are also journalists.
The main gist of this letter is to highlight and critique a pernicious tendency known as the blacklisting of political analysts.
There are some radio journalists who are being pressured by their seniors to stop using me on their programmes. This senior radio person is acting on “outside instructions” from some unscrupulous politicians. This senior radio person has issued a directive to his journalists: “From today you must begin to limit, and later stop, using political analyst Elvis Masoga in your programmes. His analyses are much too critical of President (Jacob) Zuma.”
This instruction has caused a semi-rebellion in that radio station because some journalists are totally against it.
This is very funny because two years ago I was blacklisted by a one radio station for “being overprotective of President (Jacob) Zuma”.
I have resolved to partner with other two academics and undertake research on the blacklisting of political analysts.
The crux of this research would be: “What influences some journalists, especially in the radio fraternity, to decide to blacklist certain political analysts” and would be preceded by the application of a “systemic trend monitoring model”.
The research would greatly help the media industry and the country to put a stop to this unethical practice.
It is deplorable for any radio station or TV channel to blacklist analysts because of undue pressure from some rogue politicians. The blacklisting of analysts is usually done by radio stations and TV channels rather than newspapers, which are usually tolerant, accommodative and appreciative of all political analysts.
Lastly, I humbly urge all honest and diligent journalists to refuse to be part of any blacklisting conspiracy against political analysts.
Elvis Masoga
Political analyst
