Personal Philosophy

1. I will be working as a student journalist in Grahamstown, a small Eastern Cape town. Though small in size Grahamstown is a true reflection of South Africa as a whole, in the sense that its citizens are racially and economically divided. One finds that Grahamstown has sub- communities such as Rhodes students who are part of Grahamstown but are not facing some of the issues that are faced by everyday Grahamstown people i.e. poverty ( 70% unemployment rate). The town is also known as a “city of saint and academics”, the saints part comes from the fact that there so many churches in the town and the academic part comes from the fact that Rhodes University and high schools such as DSG, St Andrews and Kingswood who have a reputation of producing quality education are located in here in Grahamstown.

There is a rising issue of crime which mostly affects town people and students. Oppidan Press recently published that Oppidan students are hardest hit by laptop theft. The town is part of the Eastern Cape Province as I have stated above, this province is one of the poorest in South Africa, though huge car manufacturing companies (General Motors, VW, and Mercedes Benz) are located here. The province also produced one of the lowest pass rate in the recent grade12 results with just over 15% pass rate. On a more positive note Grahamstown hosts the annual National arts festival which attracts a lot of tourists and brings business opportunities to the locals.

2.

I think we should strive for objectivity though it seems its not really attainable. Its not attainable in the sense that as individuals we have our own personal views of the world that are shaped by our class, race, culture etc As journalist when we write a story these views that we have which are shaped by our environment come out. We may not be aware of this but the proof is in the fact that the same story is often reported differently by various journalists. Why is that? If we were as journalist are so objective or followed the same code of writing, then the stories would come more or less the same but because we use our own experiences of the world to tell stories that we gather, our stories come out differently. The Grahamstown community is very unequal and often the Grahamstown elites get their stories told, I think we should give the “voiceless” more space to have their views heard.

3. I as I have motioned above Grahamstown is very unequal and often the economic successful side of town makes the headline. Without turning a blind eye to the economic successful, stories such as the impact of mini- tornado that hit Grahamstown local. Stories of how people survive though it is said that 70% is unemployed. I believe one can be objective and yet still have a story that has a human and emotional feel to it.

Objectivity

Objectivity should journalists be objective? Personally I think we should strive for it though it seems its not really attainable. Its not attianable in the sense that as individuals we have our own personal views of the world that are shaped by our class, race, culture etc As journalist when we write a story these views that we have which are shaped by our enviroment come out. We may not be aware of this but the proof is in the fact that the same story is often reported differently by various journalists. Why is that? if we were as journalist so objective then the stories would come more or less the same but because we use our own experiences of the world to tell stories that we gather, our stories come out differently!

However ! as I have stated above we should strive for fair and well balnced stories. Some in our Radio prac claimed that by being objective we bocome "mechenical”. I disagree with that, people must realize that as journalist we operate in a real world and democratic country ( Some may even contest if SA is democratic at all! I think it is, we enjoy quite a great measure of Press freedom than most media practitioners in Africa and the world at large). Where finances, economics and politics takes place, being un- objective ( unbalanced and un fair) may have finacially implication for a publication.

Journalism - Why I chose Journalism as my career

Im currently doing third year Journalism Radio, Economic & industrial Socoilogy 3 and Sound technology 1. Not only am I a journ student, I also lead ( deputy editor) one of the most successful student newspapers on campus The Oppidan Press.

When I first came at Rhodes, I wanted to journalsim because I wanted to join the vibrant and rapidly growing South African entertianment undustry. However after dealing with a lot of media studies thoeries, I had to think again as what I want to achieve as a journalist.

I now have ambitions of becoming a development journalist or a sports journalist. The concept of development journalism is relatively new and that big in SA right now but I think there is pontetial for it (development journalism) to grow. Sports in SA is seen as a unifiying factor! but is it really? Look at the stands on cricket and rugby grounds... only one race is dominant: white. Look at the local soccer grounds only one race is dominat: black. However it can be said that a few black people like myself do follow rugby and cricket but there does not seem to be any support for local soccer from our fellow white South Africans! Most traditional white boy schools don't even offer soccer as a sporting option. Look at 2010 its suppose to bring the rainbow nation together... but is it going to really? Well lets look at the tickets 1st.... there is about 3 million tickest avialable for the public. But one can only buy the Fifa tickes by applaying online www.fifa.com or through FNB. Now only 5million South Africans have access to internet... this then immediatly eliminates any chances for the other 40+ million SA citezens who don't have internet.