Single source journalism, distortion of facts and defamation in the Sunday Times' reports 

On June 1, the Sunday Times ran a front page article entitled: "Tsvangirai's explosive letter to Mbeki."

On June 4, Rev Chikane, the Director General in the Presidency, conducted a press briefing at which a statement was read and distributed to the press. The statement disputed media claims of the receipt of the letter.

Of further significance is that the statement cited previous incidents of false media reports about the facilitation process.

On June 8, the Sunday Times' published yet another front page story entitled: "Frank Chikane's lie is exposed," followed by a small, but nevertheless still defamatory column in the paper's Hogarth section, spitefully entitled: "Portly preacher leads flock into deception."

Nothing in the body of the June 8 article remotely suggests that Rev Chikane has in fact lied. The conclusion appears to be based on a counter assertion that a letter was sent. In other words, Rev Chikane is a liar because someone else makes a claim that is different from his.

However, the Sunday Times article is neither an exercise in reasoning nor consistent with acceptable journalistic principles which require verification of claims before publication.

The Sunday Times is not obliged to believe what the Presidency says. Like other media, other social institutions, and society as a whole, it is free to express whatever criticism it deems fit of the Presidency and government. But it evidently goes beyond accepted journalistic practice; certainly oversteps the bounds of fair comment when it brands someone a liar simply on a counter claim.

Equally questionable, is the paper's attempt to bring in matters arising from Rev Chikane's testimony to the Ginwala Inquiry, to lend credence to the defamatory assertion that Rev Chikane is a liar. Yet, everyone knows that the Inquiry is yet to make a finding, both on the substance of its terms or reference and all testimonies presented before it.

To the extent that the Sunday Times engages in this kind of journalism, it not only distorts the facts, it also damages Rev Chikane's integrity and casts aspersions on the institution of the Presidency.

Rev Chikane's rights remain reserved under the law.

The Presidency will engage directly with the MDC on this matter in keeping with the principle of confidentiality agreed to by all parties at the commencement of the facilitation process.