At the 14th Percy Qoboza Memorial Lecture, held at the University of South Africa’s main campus in Tshwane, award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono addressed the challenges facing journalism in the digital age.
He called for a return to bold, fearless reporting in the spirit of Percy Qoboza, whose legacy as a defender of press freedom continues to inspire.
Chin’ono spoke about the pressures journalists face today, including censorship and misinformation on social media. He also stressed the importance of training the next generation of journalists to produce stories that serve the public and humanity.
Reflecting on his own experiences facing threats from the Zimbabwean government in 2020, he highlighted the need for resilience in defending truth, much like Qoboza did during apartheid.
Chin’ono acknowledged the benefits of the digital age, particularly the opportunities for advocacy through social media, noting that “today, social media can be used to fight for causes, including the release of unjustly detained individuals.” However, he also warned against the spread of misinformation and urged journalists to use these platforms responsibly.
“We have access through social media that didn’t exist before, allowing us to tell impactful stories,” Chin’ono emphasised.
The event ended with the announcement of the Percy Qoboza Bursary recipient, honouring Qoboza’s lasting influence. His dedication to media freedom and truth continues to guide journalists in South Africa, reminding them of the power of fearless reporting.
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