JOURNALISM IN AUSTRALIA

Journalism in Australia has deteriorated over the years as the media has narrowed its ownership and freedom of speech is only what governments and media bosses allow.

This does not mean that journalists have to become sloppy in how they write articles, reports, analyses and other items in papers including reviews of art shows, theatre, performers and performances.

Facts are still facts, even though media bosses try to distort them, but for really downright careless reporting, Steve Dow's "theatre" report about William Kentridge's forthcoming art show "Winterreise" takes some beating for one of its main errors of fact from start to finish.

William Kentridge's father was known around the world for being the leader of Nelson Mandela's defence team in the notorious treason trial which ended with Mandela being incarcerated on Robben Island and mainland South Africa for 27 years.

He was also known as Sydney Kentridge, one of the best and ablest barristers in apartheid South Africa.

Is this FACT so difficult for Steve Dow to establish, knowing how easily one finds out information on the internet?

I think not!

Sydney Kentridge was NOT called Stanley - ever! - unless Steve Dow can prove otherwise.