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SABC 'not an ANC stooge'
10/09/2007 07:52 - (SA)
Liesl Pretorius, Beeld
Johannesburg - Despite an increase in the coverage of local politics, and a "comprehensive" increase in coverage of the ANC on SABC TV News, it cannot be conclusively proven that the SABC is a government mouthpiece. This is according to research done by the media research institute Media Tenor.
A total of 125 675 TV news reports broadcast between 2002 and 2006 were analysed in the research, which was financed by Media Tenor.
Managing director Wadim Schreiner said the research was not concerned with the quality or the objectivity of the various news items. It reflected the broad tendencies.
Media Tenor's research indicated that the news coverage by SABC TV news had become progressively more negative.
In 2002 there was one percent more positive than negative statements in the news reports. In 2006, the tendency was 14% more negative than positive.
These figures are partly based on the ways the journalists interpret a story.
'General tendency' in SA media
The research showed that coverage of local politics increased from about 10% in 2003 to 13% in 2004.
The researchers said that this increase in coverage was in line with the "general tendency" in the South African media, and since media coverage had become more negative since 2004, it followed that the SABC was not a government mouthpiece.
ANC coverage on SABC TV news had increased dramatically, by nearly 747% to 6 460 reports in 2006.
In other South African media (mainly newspapers) the increase in the corresponding period was 958% on average.
In 2006 the reverse was true (17% more negative).
The corresponding figures in other South African media was 15% more negative statements in both years.
The researchers said on these grounds it was 'highly unlikely" that the ANC would in general benefit from SABC coverage compared with other media.
DA coverage
A discrepancy was shown in the coverage of the DA by the SABC and other media.
The increase in the number of DA reports carried by the SABC in the five years under review was 203%, while with other media it increased by 1 043%.
As regards the lead story in a bulletin, there was a "fundamental change in emphasis" in 2004.
The number of stories on the government and the President had increased from 258 in 2003 to 418 in 2004.
News stories on President Thabo Mbeki totalled 293 in 2005, and they were mostly lead stories.
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