Somizi VS The Media

Who was wrong?

Social media star, actor, TV host and all-around public figure Somizi Mhlongo recently took it upon himself to share personal information of two journalists; Kabelo Khumalo from Sunday world and Julia from City press on his social media platforms. He reckons that the said journalists harassed him by asking questions about his personal life and that is the reason he retaliated in that manner.

Somizi was wrong to dox these journalists because the public interest was taken into consideration, and it is the be-all and end-all of good journalism. He blatantly invited the public into his private life by rubbing his wedding which was aired on Showmax into our faces.

Journalists have duties to uphold because of journalism ethics and responsibilities. According to Section 16 of the Constitution every citizen has the right to freedom of press and the media and the right to receive information and ideas.
The media are key agents in ensuring that these aspects of rights to freedom of information are respected, in this case the media are the two journalists. 

As much as Somizi did not say it in these words he claims that there was unlawful negligent publication of defamatory matter concerning him which caused him reputational impairment. The defamation he speaks off was about his husband allegedly having an affair and this was on print in the City Press newspaper. 

Somizi also claims that his right to privacy was invaded. The right to privacy is a distinct personality right, and is protected by the common law, the constitution and legislation. The media often wish to publish private facts particularly concerning public figures or public officials, where they regard this as in the public interest. 

Him being a public figure should know better than an average person that the media as well as the public would really like to know about his personal life. I do not think what he did was right because as much as he did not like the journalist’s questions as he believed that they were insinuating something... He could have just left them without a response Instead of infringing on their rights as the media and also using unnecessary harmful language to get his message across. 

Somizi, by being a public figure has, to a certain extent forfeited his rights privacy in terms of the privacy law. 
The courts have gone further, stating that it is not only public figures who cannot in principle object to publicity when they receive it, but also those who move in or close to the limelight. 

Such persons must expect that their lives will, to some extent to be in the public domain and they must be prepared to enjoy somewhat more publicity than the ordinary citizen has to endure.

In regard to privacy, dignity and reputation journalists should exercise care and consideration in matters involving the private lives of individuals. The right to privacy may be overridden by public interest. Yes, Mr. Mhlongo may feel offended but that is just part of the package of being a public figure.