POLICY PRESENTATION : SEXUALITYPOLICY PRESENTATION : SEXUALITY By Samantha Marie Ntombi Mbelebele Joy Peter Nkosazana Zuma

Contents Aims Methodology Findings Problems SABC’s policy Recommendations

Aims To find out if Grocott's has a policy on sexuality? Their objectives or proposal to new management with regard to policy on sexuality? How the gay and lesbian community is represented in the Grocott's? When is sexuality significant to a story?

Aims cont… How do they plan to incorporate gays and lesbians? (basically treat them as other members of the community) How is the gay community going to be represented within the structures of the paper itself? When is someone's sexual preference important?

Methodology- Quantitative Research Interviewed Louise Vale Interviewed the editor Steve Penny through Louise Vale Interviewed a gay couple from the township. Interviewed a number of students on campus. Consulted the draft policy of SABC in order to get an idea of the guidelines and what a policy on sexuality should contain.

FindingsFindings Grocott’s does not have a policy dealing with issue of sexuality Difficult to find other policies on sexuality on the Internet

ProblemsProblems The current editor did not want to talk to us There has never, in the history of Grocott’s, been a story published about alternate sexuality Grahamstown is a conservative community where these types of issues are considered taboo

SABC’s policy on sexualitySABC’s policy on sexuality  Given South Africa’s past, the SABC’s role should be not to broadcast programmes that promote discrimination or stereotyping on the grounds of gender or sexual orientation.  The SABC is committed to avoiding language and images that reinforce stereotypes or that offend communities or individuals.

SABC’s policy on sexuality cont. SABC’s policy on sexuality cont.  The SABC is committed to reflecting diversity positively  To include in their programmes non- stereotypical representation of the disabled, women, black and gay South Africans who have been marginalized from the mainstream media. (SABC draft policies 2003)

RecommendationsRecommendations Grocott’s should have a policy regarding issues of sexuality The gay and lesbian community should be catered for Eg:inclusion of achievements of gay community, like them being able to adopt children Gay and lesbian festivals A person’s sexual orientation should only be mentioned if it is relevant to the story Eg, if a woman was raped because of her sexual orientation

Cont… RecommendationsCont… Recommendations The use of derogatory terms like fag or dyke should be forbidden The report should not reflect any prejudice or reflect any tone of homophobia

Recommendations cont… The policy should be both written and spoken It should be a part of the editorial policy of the newspaper The editor should communicate it to his or her journalists It should be monitored by the editor, journalists and the public