NEWSLETTER 2

MARCH 2021 NEWSLETTER TWO THE TRUTH Special issue of Devoted magazine now on-line REVEALED Back in the days when I was a student in communications, about the ethical journalism was the buzz word. We were told that journalists should make every effort to check the facts and then ...... recheck. If we couldn’t corroborate information, then we mentioned it clearly. This is ethical journalism! KwaSizabantu But since Mammon has become the master, sensationalism sells and, sadly, some of the mainstream media has followed the Mission trend. An alarming huge number of journalists and editors now engage in unethical practices to create sensation and sell papers or increase viewership. We have seen a new narrative beginning to form where there is very little accountability. Visit: www.devotedmag.co.za What has caused this paradigm shift of not covering the news Read Issue 28 as journalists did in the past?

FOCUS ON THE GOOD All the views expressed in Devoted are done with the utmost respect. I Text by Gerda Potgieter will always strive to give a fair and balanced view and be as accurate as I I am not sure, but in the place of ethical journalism, the can possibly be. The Devoted team media themselves have now become the story as a has zero tolerance for misinfor- result of unethical practices. The articles in Issue 28 mation, whether it is provided of Devoted (Unethical journalism impacts people’s lives intentionally or not. Devoted prides and The Impact of social media bias to influence public itself on ethical journalism. opinion) deal with this matter. The recent negative articles about the KwaSizabantu We are all looking forward to the end Mission in some of the mainstream media and digital of fake and negative spin on the publications are examples of unethical journalism fueled news. Our readers are looking to get by personal agendas. The Mission has had several the real news and be informed about allegations made against them by disgruntled former what is truly happening in the world. members with, wat it seems, personal agendas. The media, however, ran with the unfounded stories Why this special issue? Some without doing due diligence. Recently, a report journalists abused their power and compiled by an independent panel of highly platforms to spread negative news, experienced professionals exonerated the Mission, but hurting innocent people in the the mainstream media was unfortunately not equally process. I prefer to focus on the enthusiastic to trumpet the fact that none of the positive and I have heard many allegations were proven to be true! testimonies of life-changing events at KwaSizabantu Mission. We wanted to It is a tragedy that the false allegations overshadow bring you the positive news about the remarkable work that the Mission has done for the Mission. Let us rather focus on over 50 years,. The Mission’s reputation has been the good work of the Mission and tarnished by these unfounded allegations, resulting in share inspiring stories of how they substantial financial losses for its enterprises that fund have impacted the lives of thousands their upliftment work. Unethical media onslaughts have of people over many years. Let us also affected the surrounding community members focus on how they continue building who work at the Mission. This is unacceptable!! the Kingdom for His glory - despite efforts from others to bring their Issue 28 of Devoted is therefore a special record of intentions under disrepute. the great work being done at the KwaSizabantu Mission for over 50 years now. We wanted to share Read Issue 28 now with you how communities are being impacted and www.devotedmag.co.za transformed by their selfless work. How the united team and communities, despite the media’s continuous onslaughts fueled by unethical media reporting, continue with the work God has called them to do.