Peace-seeking Afrikaans editors in the apartheid era: Journalistic perspectives in a theological framework

Abstract

n this study, the ethical-journalistic contributions of five apartheid-era Afrikaans language newspaper editors are taken into review: Schalk Pienaar (Die Beeld and Beeld), Willem de Klerk (Die Transvaler and Rapport), Frits Gaum (Die Kerkbode), Doret Jansen (Western Transvaal Record) and Max Du Preez (Vrye Weekblad). Their ethical-journalistic contributions are described, keeping in mind the constraints within which they operated in these five diverse newspapers. Based on Christian historical-theological considerations, evaluative remarks are made, en routeto promoting ethically sound journalism. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The use of central theological ideas and/or a theological framework to evaluate aspects of societal ethics in the practice of journalism, here more specifically in the history of Afrikaans journalism, is explored.

Keywords

• ethical journalism
• christian evaluation
• apartheid-era journalism
• schalk pienaar
• willem de klerk
• frits gaum
• doret jansen
• max du preez