COM3702
ASSIGNMENT 3 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 23 JUNE 2025
,COM3702 Assignment 3 Portfolio Semester 1 2025 Due: 2 June 2025
2. MEDIA AND RACE [25 marks]
2.1 The Term Racism Racism refers to the belief that different races possess distinct
characteristics, abilities, or qualities, which can be used to distinguish them as inferior or
superior to one another. It often results in discrimination, marginalization, and systemic
inequality. In the selected article titled "FlySafair Passenger Faces Charges After Racial
Outburst on Flight" published by News24 on 25 April 2025, Nobuntu Mkhize, an SABC
employee, reportedly used racial slurs and physically assaulted a cabin crew member.
Mkhize, who holds a media-related public position, was caught on camera, and the
footage went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. The South African Human Rights
Commission (SAHRC) expressed interest in the matter, potentially pursuing a case in
the Equality Court.
2.2 Newspaper Article and Racist Incident News24 categorized the FlySafair incident
as racist because Mkhize allegedly made derogatory remarks targeting a white flight
attendant based on race. The article cited eyewitness accounts and video footage
where Mkhize is heard using terms like "you white people think you own everything."
This reflects "new racism," which Steenveld (in Fourie, 2018:283-284) explains as
subtle, coded expressions of racial superiority that reject overt biological claims but
retain discriminatory undertones. Here, the ideology is rooted in cultural racism, which
assumes inherent differences in behavior and values between racial groups.
2.3 Videos Spreading the Story Videos posted on X and TikTok helped spread the
story quickly, with thousands of shares and comments. These videos reflect society's
existing racial tensions more than inciting new ones. As Berger (2020) argues, media
platforms mirror societal values, and social media merely amplifies prevailing attitudes.
Similarly, Daniels (2019) notes that digital media reproduces real-life prejudices, acting
more as mirrors than instigators. Therefore, the video dissemination serves to expose
rather than exacerbate societal racism.
, 2.4 Opinion Piece: FlySafair Incident The FlySafair incident is troubling and reveals
how racism still permeates spaces meant to be neutral, like public transportation.
Nobuntu Mkhize's conduct is indefensible, especially considering her public role at
SABC. Her actions highlight the residual anger and mistrust between racial groups in
South Africa. While her frustration may have been personal, turning it into a racial tirade
reflects poor judgment. The viral video contributed to public outcry and legal
repercussions, demonstrating how social media can hold individuals accountable. This
incident should lead to introspection and dialogue about race relations in South Africa,
especially in professional environments where individuals represent larger institutions.
3. NEWS AS REPRESENTATION [30 marks]
3.1 News Values News values refer to the criteria journalists use to determine which
events are newsworthy. These include timeliness, prominence, proximity, impact,
novelty, and conflict.
Who: US government and South African HIV patients
What: Suspension of PEPFAR funding
When: January 2025
Where: South Africa, USA
Why: Shift in US foreign aid policy
How: Immediate halt in PEPFAR grants
In the Daily Maverick article "PEPFAR Funding in Jeopardy: 5.5 Million Lives at Stake"
(12 March 2025), the story meets the news values of conflict (policy clash), impact
(health of millions), and timeliness.
3.2 Gatekeeping Gatekeeping is the process by which information is filtered for
dissemination. Gatekeepers in this context include editors, journalists, and government
officials. In the selected article, editorial staff determined the urgency and relevance of
ASSIGNMENT 3 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 23 JUNE 2025
,COM3702 Assignment 3 Portfolio Semester 1 2025 Due: 2 June 2025
2. MEDIA AND RACE [25 marks]
2.1 The Term Racism Racism refers to the belief that different races possess distinct
characteristics, abilities, or qualities, which can be used to distinguish them as inferior or
superior to one another. It often results in discrimination, marginalization, and systemic
inequality. In the selected article titled "FlySafair Passenger Faces Charges After Racial
Outburst on Flight" published by News24 on 25 April 2025, Nobuntu Mkhize, an SABC
employee, reportedly used racial slurs and physically assaulted a cabin crew member.
Mkhize, who holds a media-related public position, was caught on camera, and the
footage went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. The South African Human Rights
Commission (SAHRC) expressed interest in the matter, potentially pursuing a case in
the Equality Court.
2.2 Newspaper Article and Racist Incident News24 categorized the FlySafair incident
as racist because Mkhize allegedly made derogatory remarks targeting a white flight
attendant based on race. The article cited eyewitness accounts and video footage
where Mkhize is heard using terms like "you white people think you own everything."
This reflects "new racism," which Steenveld (in Fourie, 2018:283-284) explains as
subtle, coded expressions of racial superiority that reject overt biological claims but
retain discriminatory undertones. Here, the ideology is rooted in cultural racism, which
assumes inherent differences in behavior and values between racial groups.
2.3 Videos Spreading the Story Videos posted on X and TikTok helped spread the
story quickly, with thousands of shares and comments. These videos reflect society's
existing racial tensions more than inciting new ones. As Berger (2020) argues, media
platforms mirror societal values, and social media merely amplifies prevailing attitudes.
Similarly, Daniels (2019) notes that digital media reproduces real-life prejudices, acting
more as mirrors than instigators. Therefore, the video dissemination serves to expose
rather than exacerbate societal racism.
, 2.4 Opinion Piece: FlySafair Incident The FlySafair incident is troubling and reveals
how racism still permeates spaces meant to be neutral, like public transportation.
Nobuntu Mkhize's conduct is indefensible, especially considering her public role at
SABC. Her actions highlight the residual anger and mistrust between racial groups in
South Africa. While her frustration may have been personal, turning it into a racial tirade
reflects poor judgment. The viral video contributed to public outcry and legal
repercussions, demonstrating how social media can hold individuals accountable. This
incident should lead to introspection and dialogue about race relations in South Africa,
especially in professional environments where individuals represent larger institutions.
3. NEWS AS REPRESENTATION [30 marks]
3.1 News Values News values refer to the criteria journalists use to determine which
events are newsworthy. These include timeliness, prominence, proximity, impact,
novelty, and conflict.
Who: US government and South African HIV patients
What: Suspension of PEPFAR funding
When: January 2025
Where: South Africa, USA
Why: Shift in US foreign aid policy
How: Immediate halt in PEPFAR grants
In the Daily Maverick article "PEPFAR Funding in Jeopardy: 5.5 Million Lives at Stake"
(12 March 2025), the story meets the news values of conflict (policy clash), impact
(health of millions), and timeliness.
3.2 Gatekeeping Gatekeeping is the process by which information is filtered for
dissemination. Gatekeepers in this context include editors, journalists, and government
officials. In the selected article, editorial staff determined the urgency and relevance of
