Why you really shouldn’t believe everything you read

By Alec Hogg

Journalists have a tough job. Especially the younger ones. With media companies under increased financial pressure, seasoned talent is easier to prize away – owners often opting for two young workhorses at 20k to replace the experienced head at 50k. Adding to the struggle for young media orphans is an incentive structure that encourages sensationalism and, erm, a less fastidious approach to facts.

While media businesses have their own processes, one they might consider adding is a novel written in 1980 called The Spike. Written by former US journalists Arnaud de Borchgrave and Robert Moss it tells the story of a young reporter whose succession of "scoops" ensures a rapid ascent. Only once he reaches the pinnacle does the fellow realise he has been manipulated by shadowy puppet masters.

There will always be those with nefarious interests taking advantage of the naively ambitious. Right now South Africa is experiencing an epidemic, including yesterday's quite astonishing claims by a dubious source that Deputy Finmin Mcebisi Jonas lied about being offered a Gupta cabinet post.

Hopefully it will all die down in a couple of weeks when the Public Protector's report is published. But to think this abuse will go away completely is wishful thinking. So be aware – you really can't believe everything you read.