Analysis of how perceptions of surveillance affect investigation journalism in South Africa

Abstract

There has recently been an intensifying discomfort about State spying on investigative journalists in South Africa. Journalists are harassed by what the media has now termed ‘rogue spies’. Hanton (2013) defines rogue spies as “trained intelligence operatives working outside of the usually accepted rules”. The findings show that investigative journalists are being spied on. Some of the respondents in this study say they have hard evidence to prove this, while others give a perspective account of their suspicions of being under surveillance. Findings furthermore show a growing trend of self-censoring among the respondents who argue that they merely try to protect their sources. Respondents say that even though surveillance of journalists is bad, it has made their journalism better and more responsible, as there is now no room for errors. In addition, findings show that there is a serious need for government to tighten the weak legislation and oversight on intelligence with regard to state security. Findings also show that the State’s effort to intimidate and harass whistleblowers strangles information flow from sources into the public domain. The study examines how perceptions of surveillance affect investigative journalism in South Africa. This study is located within the context of significant local investigative journalism events that deal with investigative journalists and their perception of surveillance.