Who fights for media freedom? News24 in its support of journalist Karyn Maughan as she and State prosecutor Billy Downer SC is being privately prosecuted by Jacob Zuma. For those of you who do not know who he is, just Google Gupta brothers and state capture.

Now I would love to dive into the finer details of what this case is about, but I can’t. Because you see, the details that explains and informs me about this case is hidden behind a pay wall on News24.com.

When you click on READ THE FULL STORY…

You get to this notice on the page…

Well that is fun. 14 days and then I need to pay.

I get that. We used to pay for news papers and magazines. Then everything went digital and you could find out anything about everything online without the need to turn a page.

They made use of display advertising, as they still do, to monetise the content and make money. In a previous life I used to manage one of these ad servers and ensure the creatives where being delivered in the specific sections of the websites and at the end of the month that sales staff could retrieve delivery stats.

But here is my issue with the position News24 has on the matter of “press/media freedom”.

News24 defending media freedom?

The editor Adriaan Basson made the following statement:

For what purpose Adriaan? So that you can have access to information in order for journalists to write content or produce videos, only for you to then go and place it behind a pay wall?

Now according to the Press Code published on their website I would like to draw attention to the following:

The media exist to serve society. Their freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society, and is essential to realising the promise of democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments on the issues of the day, a role whose centrality is recognised in the South African Constitution.

The South African Press Code

Serve society?

Section 2.2 of said press code states that:

The media shall not accept any benefit which may influence coverage;

Well, in my view putting content that will serve society behind a pay wall means that you are accepting a benefit and by limiting access to that content you are influencing coverage. But don’t worry. Not everything is behind a pay wall. We have some watered down articles that give you just enough information to form an unqualified opinion.

Just enough for you to have something to say o the matter at your next braai. Then someone with a subscription would stop you and say, “Wait a minute. On the full paid for article the fact are actually as follow… You uninformed idiot!”

Well the cost to be smart and make qualified opinionated statements at braais is R75pm.

WTF Adriaan?

Adriaan is one those guys who sometimes hits the nail on the head, but most times seems to be still looking for the hammer. This to me is one of those cases where his friends are hiding the hammer and giggling as he searches for it.

I get the need to fight for the freedom of the press and I support that. But I draw a line when you take that freedom and apply a monetary system to the end product, and then try and position it as if you are fighting for democratic rights. You are a fucking business not a charity. And the very last thing you are is fighting for freedom to investigate, produce and publish content that is in the public interest.

If you were you would have stuck to a display ad business model and not have a pay wall.

Because here is the truth Adriaan. I have seen several articles about new laws that are behind a pay wall. Several Eskom articles, behind a pay wall. Things that are in the public interest. Things the society needs to know. I have also seen instances where you as a legal entity issue take down notices when people share your content outside of the pay wall. Cool, it is it your content and you are protecting it. Sorry, you are protecting your income.

But be honest about it. Rather say:

We are defending media freedom and democracy in order for us to monetise it for financial gain that benefits our investors.

I know it is a mouthful and exhausting to type out, but so is trying to paint yourself as a white knight on a horse.