Having followed media coverage for the last 22 years, it is time that we as society, the media, business and government changed the narrative of this country.
Our biggest issue is this – 9% of the population controls 90% of the wealth, which leaves 91% of the population controlling 10% of the wealth.
These 91% are the people whose voices should be at the fore.
Yet an impression taken from the media since 1994 would leave you feeling that the most whining and complaining comes from the wealthiest 9%.
This appears to be viewed as the collective consciousness and narrative of the nation. To add perspective, if a tourist visited South Africa and read every newspaper article, opinion and letter published since 1994, what impression would they have as to our biggest issue?
The South African narrative created since 1994 is through representation of the wealthiest 9% via the media.
The fact that our tourist would have an incorrect impression of our biggest issue should cause every publisher, editor, columnist and investigative journalist to reflect deeply on what makes headlines and why.
Andrew George, Sandton
