News agencies around the country continue to deal with more challenges than the average person realises. Yet, without them, the country would become a tidal wave of misinformation with no one holding those in power accountable.
As a news agency based in Northern KwaZulu-Natal with a ridiculously strong moral compass and an ironclad commitment to ethical news, we can say we have dealt with our fair share of chaos. By the time you see that notification alerting you of the latest article, the level of frustration, persistence and resourcefulness have all built up to that glorious “hit publish” moment. To say that being a journalist in KwaZulu-Natal is a daredevil job, would be comically tickling at a laborious reality.
Workability and understanding have given way to intolerance and aggression. This has transformed news teams, just doing a day’s work, into circus folk, traversing dangerous obstacles all in the name of a lunch or dinner article.
Once upon a time, news teams were just a bunch of hard working, creative, street smart storytellers, who connected their beloved readers with a whirlwind of glorious news. It was like poetry in motion. An editor barking out leads and anxious journalists pitching stories. Advertising reps defended thick tickler boxes holding hundreds of advertising, news product proud clients. Publishers were hardcore, never a sobber moment leviathans who could rely on those they served to rally behind them in the name of great news. This, sadly, is now all but a memory where news agencies are now more stretched and pressed leaving little to no room for excited and eager faces.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not like the industry was a cushy career choice to start off with. The danger and deadlines have long been a staple across generations of news telling. But today it is an arduous career choice whereby apart from the gravity of the work life and the fragility of client support the show must go on.
Imagine a South Africa where no one is asking questions or obtaining answers that impact your world? Imagine a South Africa where you have to rely on fake news filled social media for information or only government owned news?
A strong, well-supported news team is the backbone of progression in a community, a province or the country. The support they receive keeps news agencies able to hold those in power accountable and keeps you in the driver’s seat of your environment.
Get behind your news teams and stop underestimating what they do for you. Just last week, two of our team members were almost stabbed, robbed and killed all for an article for you to enjoy in peace and comfort.