Media misrepresentation of the accused in a recent alleged assault case as ‘farmers’ ‘perpetuates a dangerously negative stereotype and could contribute to further divisions and tension, particularly as the country approaches critical elections’, the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) warns.
Contrary to erroneous reports, the accused in an alleged assault case in Groblersdal, Limpopo are not farmers, but operate a security company, and the alleged assault victim was employed in that capacity, not as a farmworker, the Institute says in a statement.
Terence Corrigan, IRR publications and project manager, has addressed letters to prominent media, including Eyewitness News (EWN), The Sowetan, and SABC, to correct this false reporting.
The IRR has emphasised the ‘importance of accurate reporting, especially in a case as sensitive as this, where the potential for stigmatisation of farmers is high’.
‘Mischaracterising the accused as farmers perpetuates a dangerously negative stereotype and could contribute to further divisions and tension, particularly as the country approaches critical elections.
‘Misrepresentation in the media is important not only for being factually inaccurate but also for its dangerous implications for public perception and discourse. The IRR urges media outlets to uphold their duty to provide accurate information, especially given the threats misinformation and disinformation pose to democracy.’
In his letters to the media, Corrigan calls for a re-evaluation of reporting practices to ensure that information conveyed to the public is not only accurate but also responsibly presented.
‘This case serves as a reminder of the media’s powerful role in shaping narratives, and of the necessity of adhering to facts in all reporting,’ the IRR notes.
Says Hermann Pretorius, IRR head of strategic communications: ‘South Africa is a country struggling with a sustained cost-of-living crisis. Our agricultural sector is a key component of the pro-growth fightback needed to defeat this crisis. Unfairly demonising this sector through misreporting basic facts not only undermines societal relations in an election year, but also our ability as a country to chart a path to growth and prosperity for everyone.’