Halfway through 2021, amongst pandemic woes and family meetings with Uncle Cyril, South Africas headlines were dominated by the wild goose chase of the ‘pregnant’ lady in pink and the 10 babies clothed in mystery: The Tembisa 10.
The story has now been shortlisted for an International News Media Award (Best Use of Social Media) regarding the ‘Baby Trade’ it alleged. Now, the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has expressed its disapproval – given the mess the #Tembisa10 stirred for journalism in the country.
Initially reported on by Independent Media’s Pretoria News, the story claimed that Gosiame Thamara Sithole was the mother of a Guinness World Record for carrying and delivering the babies – something which still hasn’t been proven.
The story travelled like wildfire, but the more traction it received, the more confused people became. There was a lot of back and forth.
The story ended up challenging Independent Media’s reputation with the government allegedly threatening them for publishing #Tembisa10.
Despite Independent Media’s ‘explosive findings’ as detailed in an October press conference that alleged a much deeper and darker story (with human trafficking as a central theme) and the video series, the proof of the 10 babies ever existing is still a matter of speculation.
Also read:Independent Media claims that the #Tembisa10 story is linked to human trafficking
Sanef’s position:
“It is important to note that the ten babies are still to be seen and no proof has ever been provided that they do in fact exist,” said Sanef.
Hence, when the story was shortlisted for an award by the International News Media Association (INMA), Sanef expressed an “appalled” response.
In writing to the International News Media Association (INMA), Sanef detailed its concern on the following premises:
“This report has no basis in truth, is factually inaccurate and contributes to the spread of disinformation, deliberately misleading audiences. It’s now public knowledge and widely accepted that the piece perpetuates disinformation and has been flagged for its total lack of verification, and deeply questionable ‘sources’” Sanef wrote.
“The legitimacy of the entire so-called story has been called into question. As the June awards fast approach, we call on the INMA to reconsider its stance. The Decuplets report has been condemned by the Gauteng Provincial Government, and the medical fraternity at large … with all key role players distancing themselves from it.
“It is not only fake, but also dangerous as it seriously sets back the advances made by the country in protecting women and children. Ethical journalism and building public trust are the cornerstones of good journalistic practices – yet this piece majestically fails at both,” it critiqued.
INMA’s response, according to Sanef said that the judges were “judging the quality of the social media campaign – not the story itself” and further that it can’t reverse their jury’s shortlisting decisions. The “additional context” of a story will be factored in the winning process.
Of course, the social media campaign for #Tembisa10 was monumental, but that can largely be attributed to one trending theme – questioning if the babies were real, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt.
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc Gallery