Dear Editor,
I have often wondered if columnists have a right to write as they please. Is there a newspaper editor that approves what is published?
I just read that David Bullard has been fired for writing an extreme racist column. Now those of us who have become used to David Bullard's writing are surprised that the newspaper suddenly woke up and realised that David Bullard has been writing racist columns.
The man has an amazing writing skill and I often enjoy reading his columns, however for the past few months he has been pushing boundaries.
There was a time he had to apologise for insulting rural people when he compared them to Jacob Zuma. Although he has a right to criticise JZ because he is a political figure, he surely was wrong to have extended his prejudice to all black rural people.
The piece he wrote last week also drew the attention of Max Du Preez who is one liberal and writer with deep understanding of black African history.
In his column in Thursday's Star newspaper, Max didn't want to criticise David outright, but actually chose to enlighten him about our semi-industrial technology.
Our ability was not limited to farming and medicine, but also to mining iron ore and turning it into farming implements. We turned clay into pots and dishes, we mined gold and created beautiful pieces of art (check Mapungubwe)
My question is; why are columnists allowed to use newspapers to further their own personal agendas? If anyone knows Stephen Mulhollard, one will realise what I'm talking about. Why do our journalists get stuck into government and ANC bashing?
If a columnist fails to be creative and write widely about politics, then fire him. I have yet to see any decent column written to criticise some of our opposition parties.
Anyone has a right to express their views, but, we should not sink low to extreme racial tones as happened with David Bullard. I will certainly miss his writing skills, but not his recent racist vile.
He could have been removed from writing his own column, and restricted to writing about cars as his writing skills are very good. Journalist shouldn't be censored, but they should understand the boundaries of their writing especially given our diverse cultures and our history.
Aaaron Bhoboza Mashinini
Johannesburg
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