Press Ombud Rules on Controversial Race-Related Articles at Pretoria High School for Girls

In a recent development that has sparked considerable debate about media accuracy and ethics, the Press Ombud has largely dismissed a series of complaints against the Daily Maverick concerning their coverage of alleged racial issues at Pretoria High School for Girls. However, the news outlet has been instructed to issue an apology and update the content of two specific articles that were under scrutiny.

The controversy began with two articles published by the Daily Maverick in late July and early August, which detailed allegations of racism at the renowned school and the subsequent reaction among the school community. These articles were met with criticism, particularly from a group of parents of white learners, who felt the reports were biased and factually inaccurate.

The first article titled “‘It’s heartbreaking,’ says Pretoria Girls High parent as school faces fresh allegations of racism,” brought to light the grievances of black learners regarding racist treatments and the school's disciplinary responses. Parents complained that the article incorrectly labeled a WhatsApp group as "whites-only," misrepresented the content shared within the group, and failed to provide a balanced perspective by not including the voices of white learners or their parents.

Further, the complaints pointed to the article’s reference to a "racism incident" in 2016, which was disputed, and incorrect information regarding legal representation for the learners involved. While the Press Ombud acknowledged some of these concerns, specifically the misrepresentation of the 2016 incident and the legal representation, other aspects of the complaint were not upheld.

The second article, focusing on disciplinary proceedings and the Gauteng Department of Education's initiation of an independent inquiry, was also criticized for misrepresenting facts about the charges against suspended white pupils and reasons for their subsequent acquittal. Again, the ombud found substance in these claims, especially in the failure of the Daily Maverick to update their article with information from a released text of the disciplinary hearing.

Despite these findings, the Press Ombud concluded that the Daily Maverick did not act in bad faith. The news outlet was found to have made honest mistakes in its coverage, underscoring the challenges media face in reporting complex and sensitive issues. The ombud has mandated that the Daily Maverick publish an apology and revise both online articles accordingly, ensuring that the updated texts receive approval from his office prior to publication.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges media organizations face when covering racially charged events and the critical need for balanced and accurate reporting in maintaining public trust. It also reflects the vital role of oversight bodies like the Press Ombud in upholding media standards and ethics, ensuring that news coverage does not unjustly harm community relations or individual reputations.