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Audi alteram partem
There is an universally accepted rule in
jurisprudence that, translated directly from Latin, means “Hear the
other party” or, more generally, “Listen to the other side.” The
same almost sacred rule applies in journalism.
Kormorant is sometimes accused of not adhering to this rule,
especially in its editorial comment, which, admittedly, is not
always complimentary. In fact, it is sometimes downright scathing,
and we do not apologise for that. We believe it is one of the
functions of a community conscious newspaper to provide social
comment and in this we are supported by all professional media
bodies.
We try to adhere to the audi alteram partem rule. We really do. But
it is difficult given the arrogance of some official bodies who seem
to think that they are under no obligation to answer public
enquiries. And it is rather impracticable to invoke the Promotion of
Access to Information Act every time you need to report on some or
other incident affecting a government body.
A case in point is the situation at the Brits District Hospital. By
all accounts the place seems to be a shambles, with a seeming
disregard for patients well-being, badly neglected facilities and
staff who don’t seem to care. We would like to believe that there is
another side to the story. We would like to think that there are
genuine efforts under way to correct whatever is wrong, improve the
service and upgrade the facilities.
But if there is such a side to this story, we do not get to see it.
And we have nothing to offer our readers but the picture of a badly
neglected public facility, run by arrogant, uncaring people who are
not the least bit interested in the welfare and comfort of their
patients or the opinion of the public. All our enquiries are met
with a stony silence which can only be interpreted as arrogance and
a ‘don’t care a damn’ attitude.
It is a real pity, for we know there are caring, compassionate
people in the province’s health service. But unfortunately they are
not the people building the institution’s image. The arrogant
spoilers are - and they really don’t care a damn.
Tiekie scrap
Die situasie by die Hoërskool Hartbeespoort laat
‘n hele paar wenkbroue lig - om verskillende redes. Daar is blykbaar
twee faksies wat heeldag loop en dreig om mekaar in die hare te
vlieg, tot so ‘n mate dat die skoolhoof en sy personeel moes ingryp
om die twee groepe uitmekaar te hou en die ouers op hete kole het.
Vroeër sou so ‘n ligte skermutselinkie soos die afgelope week by die
skool voorgekom het, beswaarlik enige melding verdien het. Daar is
geen rasse-ondertone nie, geen gevaarlike wapens is betrokke nie,
daar is blykbaar nie dwelms of meisies op die spel nie, en niemand
is ernstig beseer nie. Die ergste van alles is, daar is nie eens ‘n
behoorlike twisappel nie - blykbaar hou die een groep van sport; die
ander nie.
Ag nee, kom nou manne. As julle wil baklei, baklei oor iets wat die
moeite werd is. In die tydsgewrig waarin ons leef, kan niemand dit
bekostig om energie op so destruktiewe wyse op onbenullighede te
mors nie. As julle wil faksies vorm, kies iets wat bietjie meer
verbeeldingryk is. ‘n Mens weet nie wat die meisies daarvan dink nie,
maar as hierdie twis hulle gaande maak, dan is hulle ook nie juis
iets om oor gaande te raak nie.
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13 March 2008 |
