AS THE OSCAR PISTORIOUS MURDER TRIAL GETS UNDERWAY, LET'S SHOW SENSITIVITY TOWARDS BOTH FAMILIES. -
We are in the early days of a murder trial that has gripped public imagination both locally and internationally. Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorious is no ordinary athlete. As a child, he had both his legs amputated just below the knee. However, his determination has seen him win not only in disability race events but in competitions meant for able-bodied athletes as well. He has set world records on the track, endeared himself to South Africans and too many around the world and crowned his achievement with a national decoration - the Order of Ikhamanga in bronze. A national order is the highest honor a country bestows upon its citizens for their exceptional and outstanding achievements in various fields of human endeavour.
Then came 14 February 2013, the day it is alleged he fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. His disability, achievements and the symbolism of the day in which the shooting happened combined with the hurt and shattered hopes both Oscar and Reeva's parents must have felt make all of this look like a Shakespearean tragedy. Except, true human beings are involved here. And that, for me, is what it ultimately boils down to. A young woman lies cold and still six feet underground. The Steenkamps must have been left with immense and unexpected grief, loss and uncertainty about the future especially because it is reported that their daughter was helping them financially through her modeling career.
A young disabled man who had the world as his oyster stands in the dock accused of the heinous crime of murder. His surviving parent Henke Pistorious (his mother Sheila died when Oscar was 15 years old) must be overwhelmed by these events. Any parent would be left totally shocked and feeling helpless at such a turn of events. It cannot be easy for him either.
While this trial will dominate headlines and news bulletins over the next few weeks, let us spare a thought and pray for Reeva and Oscar's parents, including their families. Compassion is what both families currently need. This is not the time to point fingers at any of the parents. This case has generated a lot of emotion and will no doubt continue to do so even post the verdict. In an age where we can express our views through Twitter and Facebook, it would still be proper to call for restraint in the manner we voice our opinions about this matter, especially by those who occupy positions of leadership and influence. We live in a constitutional democracy where we should allow both the law and justice to take their course.
While on this appealing note, the media has an immense responsibility upon its shoulders to report fairly and accurately on the case without trying to influence public opinion. For all the media frenzy that has been swirling around the pre-trial, some of it ethically disappointing and some of it reflecting responsible journalism, now is the time when the rubber hits the road. We expect media houses and editors not to cross the line. The judiciary has affirmed the media's role by giving it permission to cover certain aspects of the trial live and for this it must be praised. The ball is now in the media’s court.
But reports that some media are already harassing witnesses by digging into their private lives are disturbing. To be fair, I have never witnessed such a tendency with local media - although lawyers in court often use this as a strategy to discredit rival witnesses. As reported this past Sunday, the harassment allegedly comes from foreign media who have contacted some of the witnesses threatening them with the exposure of their private lives and phone records. This could potentially muddy the waters and compromise the case. The presiding judge must read the riot act to any media that will misbehave.
Local leaders in journalism must also be concerned about this and should unequivocally condemn it. Here is why. Not only will it taint their profession but is likely to put pressure on local journalists to do the same in a bid to compete with the foreign journalists who will be getting their "scoops" through these unscrupulous means. And once that rots sets in it might be difficult to reverse it.
We have seen this happen in other countries such as the United Kingdom where journalists hacked people's phones and employed bullying tactics to force others to give them exclusive interviews. It subsequently took many days of an inquiry headed by a judge to investigate how a subculture of unethical behavior had developed and infected some sections of the British media. South Africa does not need that.
The Oscar Pistorious case should not be a floodgate for tendencies that our country may later regret. As it is, the case is itself enough trauma for South Africa.
