International media covered the coronavirus pandemic and the disease it causes, Covid-19, from the time it came to the attention of the west in January.
I’ve been following the story since then. It was lead story, particularly in The
Guardian and usually second lead in the New York Times, which like US media
primarily focuses on local issues. However, since the virus took hold in the
west to epidemic proportions it was the main lead.
South African society, government and media – mainstream and
independents – largely ignored it until late February when South African citizens
in Wuhan were expatriated. Before this the virus and its spread around the
world received little attention. Initially even the government considered the
plight of citizens in wuhan and their pleas to be brought home as not important
and said they were safe there in the Chinese’s care. That and the virus’ spread
around the world from China was relegated it to foreign news.
This was reflected in the attitudes of media and their
contributors who as usual concentrated on local nonsense – State of the Nation
address, Budget and all the usual small-time matters. On March 21 News24’s
editor Adriaan Basson wrote it received little attention from them until around
March 1. South Africa’s first confirmed case was on March 2.
But despite the growing crisis abroad it wasn’t front page
story until two weeks ago when President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation about
the seriousness of Covid-19, its growing impact on the country – first reported
case March 2- and measures government was adopting. And since they ordered the
lockdown from March 27 there is almost no other topic. Even Moody’s downgrading
of the country to junk last week, which in normal circumstance would have been
major news, was relegated to second or third importance.
I’ve written many times before (see here) that local media
is mediocre and state of the profession is dire. Apart from poor to average journalism and
reporting, it navel-gazes, obsessed with politicking and petty issues usually
of politicians, which in South Africa are celebrities. Its narratives are
driven by agendas and point scoring, mostly of ANC and left, but right too. Now
and again there is a light until it too is extinguished to disappointment.
And all the while the real stories and issues are forgotten
because the media – agenda-driven editors and publishers – decide they’re not
topical, in the public interest or news, but don’t hesitate to regurgitate old
stories they think are if they promote their causes.
Apart from ignoring
numerous stories of local importance – not the usual drivel of politics and
race but matters affecting South Africans – the coronavirus is a singular
example that proves the accusation. They missed the biggest story since World
War 2 but now egregiously pretend they’ve been following it all along. At least
Basson was honest.
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