South African newspaper reports on corruption: A rhetorical analysis of the role of the media in moral formation
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Date
2017
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
The premise of this study is that of a reformed theological perspective which holds
that all human beings are corrupt. It sets out to explore whether newspaper reporting,
using rhetorical strategies which build awareness in the public about corruption, will
solve the said issue of corruption. The study reports on the rhetorical strategies of
four weekly South African newspapers, the Sunday Times, The Sunday Independent,
Mail and Guardian and Rapport. Four cases of corruption in the calendar year 2016
were selected and the four newspapers' reporting were analysed. This was
undertaken by means of four case studies on the said articles from these
publications. The study found that the four selected newspapers employ various
rhetorical strategies in their reporting on the four cases of corruption. Through their
reporting they establish an awareness, and allow their respective readers to judge on
issues of corruption. However, the study also shows that corruption is more than its
manifestation through the conduct of certain individuals. Based on the
abovementioned theological premise, it will take more than just the newspapers'
reporting to solve the issue of corruption.
Description
Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Religion and Theology)