Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
ombudsmanlatest news & developments
Tax Deliberation: Professor Thabo Legwaila, Faith Ngwenya, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, Joon Chong (moderator) and Advocate Eric Mkhawane participate in the Tax Indaba at the Sandton Convention Centre. (Photo: Musa Rapuleng)

Tax ombud’s office matures with time

Despite the early difficulties between the tax ombud and the South African Revenue Service, the parties are now finding ways to resolve their problems

When held to the purifying flames of common sense, the interpretation of the word ‘harm’ quickly turns to ash.

AfriForum says fake HuffPost blog could see white men pulled out of voting queues

A fake blog post proposing that white men be stripped of their voting and property rights “might be landing a blow among many other blows”.

Zetu Makamandela-Mguqulwa says the ombud’s office at the University of Cape Town makes the institution more conflict-competent and transformative.

Every varsity should have an ombud

Transformation in higher education is vital, but a neutral arbiter is required to ensure fairness.

While important, a media landscape that solely awards, funds, or publishes a narrowly defined set of stories incentivises journalists to pursue incomplete, and distorted coverage. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Alarm raised by ship’s cats still resonates

Journalists must be ever aware of the need for fairness and accuracy, but regulation is anathema.

Ebb and flow: Editors often need to keep a critical distance from issues that enjoy widespread support.

Public sentiment is a poor gauge of the need for balance

In the small space between generally accepted truths and contentious issues, editors need sufficient critical distance.

Ombudsman: Reason can demand use of shocking images

If publishing a shocking image can do something to cut through the smugness, then it is worth some offence and discomfort.

Say what? As Pravin Gordhan delivered his mid-term budget speech last week

M&G left the door wide open for critics

The newspaper erred in turning a suggestion made at an ANC workshop into a party decision.

United Muslim Nations International says the use of terms such as ‘militant Islam’ are misleading

Let’s dismount from objectivity’s high horse and start talking

A journalism of conversation is a responsibility to the quality and inclusiveness of the debates that ripple across society.

Bulembu Ministries objected to a report on its orphanage and an asbestos mine.

The perpetuity of online journalism

The biggest challenge of an online presence is that material on the web remains there forever.

SAA boss Dudu Myeni

Was evidence of ‘romantic’ link sufficient?

When the facts are scarce, a sceptical reader must be persuaded that the inferences made are sound.

Gourmet’s delight:A special room where the hams are hung to dry in Langhirano near Parma.

Net privacy not just about ?’forgetting’

Do requests to delete data lead to an ‘internet with borders’? Ombud Franz Krüger explores.

Judge Bernard Ngoepe.

Ngoepe appointed as new tax ombudsman

Retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe said during his appointment as SA’s new tax ombudsmad that he would like to create confidence with the public.

Do not lose sight of the issue when reporting on a dispute

A few weeks ago the Mail & Guardian published a report that put Minister of Finance Gordhan in a bad light. Some important elements were left out.

Risky precedent may allow the state to press-gang journalists

Journalists usually resist attempts by the authorities to extract information from them that can be used to prosecute crimes.

Public protector: What we need are ethical leaders

Visiting ombud shares tips on protecting the SA public

While the public protector’s recommendations are not always heeded by the state, her Canadian counterpart says such reports are never ignored there.

Shiceka’s complaint against M&G dismissed

Shiceka’s complaint against M&G dismissed

The ombud has dismissed a complaint by Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka about an <i>M&G</i> story on reported irregular expenditure.

Malema: Whites never voted for us anyway

ANCYL request for media probe denied

The press ombudsman has denied an ANC Youth League request for a probe into two newspapers’ use of incorrect quotes attributed to Julius Malema.

Ombudsman: City Press did nothing wrong

Ombudsman: City Press did nothing wrong

A complaint lodged against the City Press for calling the subject of a story a right wing group was dismissed by the ombudsman.

The power of the ombudsman

This week the ombudsman for long-term insurance forced PPS Insurance to pay out cover to a dentist.