It is said that democracy dies in darkness. True, but it also dies in selfishness, apathy and despair.<\/p>\n
AmaBhungane was created to shine a light in the shadows. But the country is in such a dark place that we need to remind ourselves that the responsibility for tending the fire that keeps the wolves at bay belongs to us all.<\/p>\n
This is a global phenomenon. The light of rational goodwill and fairness is everywhere under attack.<\/p>\n
Populists and opportunists across the political spectrum are cashing in on the coarsening of public discourse, surfing the polarisation that the lords of the digital market promote through indifference and greed.<\/p>\n
In what purports to be one of the world\u2019s oldest democracies, a bad actor is trying to steal an election, abetted by a political party that has plumbed new depths of cynicism.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve seen parts of that horror movie under Jacob Zuma \u2013 and we know that it doesn\u2019t just end with the narrow election of a well-meaning successor.<\/p>\n
Globally, the news media is under sustained attack from authoritarians and others who want it to be an instrument of power and manipulation \u2013 a mouthpiece for political and corporate interests.<\/p>\n
AmaBhungane investigations have impact. We won\u2019t stop exposing wrongdoing and holding government and corporate institutions to account. But we cannot do it without your support<\/a>.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n In just the latest example, Polish reporters are worried about newspapers turning into hardline propaganda outlets after a state-run company took over<\/a> a major publisher.<\/p>\n Back home, Iqbal Surv\u00e9 has succeeded in sending at least some of his titles down that darkening road, pursuing an editorial line that might make Fox News<\/em> proud.<\/p>\n But there is also a glow of accountability and success: sparks that deserve to be fanned into life by an active citizenry that refuses to allow thieves and gangsters to dictate our future.<\/p>\n The Zondo Commission is coming alight in its final months and is starting to squeeze concessions<\/a> (and hundreds of millions of rands) out of corruption\u2019s enablers.<\/p>\n The National Prosecuting Authority has started to prosecute some of the agents of state capture.<\/p>\n The Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks seem energised by the prospect of finally doing the jobs they were designed for.<\/p>\n