If The National can produce and unearth the real roots of this devastating and multifaceted crisis today in SA and thereby call things by their proper names, I would be its greatest supporter.
THE recent decision by the Sekunjalo Group to launch a new national newspaper, The National, reportedly backed by strategic partners in the US and Europe, can only be described as breathtakingly confident.
At a time when there is a global economic crisis and the marked decline of print newspapers for a long while, it is certainly an act of huge confidence in the fruition of its plans.
In objective terms, especially since it was reported last week by the chief executive officer (CEO), Lucien Jacobs, that the launch is part of a broader and aggressive media strategy designed to revitalise South Africa’s media ecosystem, this is a very welcome development.
But the key and critical question is how the contemplated new national newspaper will navigate the tough economic, social and political crises we face in this country. On the other hand, it is properly, fully and bravely dealing with these very complex and deep crises, which could itself turn out to be the harbinger of a new and fresh depth to South African journalism.
