WITH no change in former president Nelson Mandela’s condition, international media interest remains high.
WELL-WISHES: Messages of support cover a wall outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, where ailing former president Nelson Mandela is undergoing treatment. Picture: THE TIMES
World news media groups have camped outside the Pretoria hospital where Mr Mandela has been recovering from a recurring lung infection for the past three weeks.
Reports emerged on Monday of attempts by the Mandela family to convene an urgent meeting at his homestead in Qunu.
Among those who had reportedly arrived for the meeting were grandson Mandla Mandela, Thanduxolo Mandela, Ndaba Mandela, Ndileka Mandela and chief Bhovulengwe, of the AbaThembu royal council.
International media have invested huge amounts of time and effort in covering the failing state of the former president’s health.
The story has attracted an influx of international media since his health began deteriorating and a bigger contingent is expected if Mr Mandela’s health continues to fail and he passes away.
News media houses have come under fire for anticipating his death with extensive, packaged news reports, some of which have been published by mistake.
Financial Times correspondent in Johannesburg Andrew England said the UK newspaper is following the situation closely, working around the clock. "We have a news package ready to go. But at the moment we don’t have any new people coming into South Africa yet. If it happens, then we might bring some people in."
Africa correspondent for the Guardian newspaper David Smith said the story is one of its biggest in recent times.
"Media around the world will have been covering this very extensively," he said. "He’s a global figure who transcends nationality and many other boundaries, and we’re going very big with it.
" We will send three to four journalists to join me when the inevitable happens. Already we’re very active with live blogging on the website as we did with Oscar Pistorius," he said.
In their attempt to gain scoops, some media organisations have resorted to underhand tactics such as installing hidden cameras near Mr Mandela’s homes.
CNN’s South African bureau chief, Kim Norgaard, said the broadcaster is prioritising the story while treating it with respect.
"It’s obviously hugely important because we all know how much he’s loved and respected around the world," he said.
"Not all media are the same and there are good and bad out there. We always try to be respectful and sensitive to the family while letting the rest of world know what’s going on."
Mr Norgaard said CNN has three correspondents in South Africa. Additional overseas reporters may be sent in as things escalate.
"I do know that NBC, CBS and ABC have all pulled in additional people," he said. "Those stations that don’t have a presence here are already sending crews."
BBC Africa bureau editor Peter Burdin said no additional manpower has been sent from overseas yet.
"When we move to the next phase we would expect to clear our schedules for some time and do around-the-clock coverage," he said. "We already have quite a large bureau in Johannesburg, which is our hub for Africa. We are preparing to celebrate the man, not just report his death. People can sometimes get the wrong impression but we want to reflect the richness of his life."
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