I am somewhat angry today, for a couple of reasons on which I will elaborate. Firstly I am still struggling to get a newspaper or magazine to run the albino story which is more a case of disappointment then anger but I remain optimistic. Secondly I came across a piece of what I regard as hack journalism regarding the disappearance of an albino boy in South Africa.
I will post the link below and would encourage you to check it out, if only to get an idea of what I am talking about. However basically it’s a kidnapping piece sexed up by the fact that the little boy involved is albino. Now I am not saying that the disappearance of the child has nothing to do with him being albino, but there are no genuine facts in the article.
Instead they reprint information readily available on forums like Wikipedia or other articles concerning albino attacks. The images they use are repurposed, (this is the politically correct term), from stories previously printed regarding Tanzania’s albinos.
The picture of the witchdoctor? I don’t even want to get started but should you want an image of one I can oblige. Let me assure you you will not find any masks.
Reporting like this is not only of poor quality but also badly researched and dangerous. It perpetuates stereotypes and offers nothing new in terms of information gathering and reporting.
Yes, I do believe the feature we spent a month working on is superior to an article wacked together just before deadline but that’s not the point of this little rant.
I want people to read magazines and newspapers with a healthy sense of skepticism, consider what you are reading, cross-reference it if you can. Expect more of your papers, demand more of them.
Wow- that SUCKS! I have also encountered “mganga” (“witch doctors”) and they definitely do not wear masks. Way to go Daily Mail….
Hang in there Sean- I hope someone comes to their senses soon!
Keep on writing the FACTS .Sensationalism will catch up with the (story-telling).