In this episode, Media & Marketing Show host, Hasanain Abdullah engaged with Qaanita Hunter.
Qaanita Hunter Bio
She is an award-winning political journalist, editor, and best-selling author based in Johannesburg. A founding editor of The Debrief Network. She is a highly regarded columnist for News24 and a contributor to Al Jazeera English.
She has authored three books on politics and two works of fiction.
She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a passionate advocate for media freedom and mental health awareness within the profession. As a keynote speaker. Her voice continues to influence South Africa’s democratic evolution and the future of journalism in the region.
The discussion touched on the challenges faced by journalists who in their line of reporting, hold power to account. Despite living in a democracy, it’s becoming harder for media journalists and whistleblowers to speak up against corruption, in view of the assassinations carried out on whistleblowers and those who have spoken out about government corruption. The question was posed to Qaanita, to find out why she continues to her work in the field of journalism.
The Debrief Network secured funding from the Digital News Transformation Fund. Qaanita established The Debrief Network recently, with this capital injection, this would ensure that her young organisation would continue to operate and would be a position to employ journalist. She reflected on and elaborated on the beat of the publication.
The discussion touched on the use of modern technology and latest trends in tech to facilitate innovation in the media space in Africa.
The future of media in the digital space driven by youth, the conversation touched on the need for media skills especially for young as well as seasoned journalist.
The “March on March” were responsible for the xenophobic violence against African nationals in South Africa, and who placed pressure on undocumented people to be returned home. This movement’s marches in the Durban and Johannesburg inner city as well as to paying visits to business complexes who employed undocumented African nationals caused a tense atmosphere in the country. Qaanita wrote a thought-provoking post on News 24, “Are we been played?”, during the discussion she is reflecting on this. Journalist play a key role in society, and in this case her piece brought the tense atmosphere in the “room”, where South Africa could take a step back and reflect. Her post argued, and rightfully so, that “international role players” had a hand in creating this tension which was fit to giving rise to a civil war.
Qaanita, as a best-selling author, who had published books, moderated conversations as book launches and book festivals, started her writing journey way back when she penned her musings and thoughts on her Guji Girl WordPress blog.
The discussion reflects on her career as an author and someone who has an affinity for books.
Media & Marketing Show
A podcast on Radio 786
Subscribe to the Radio 786’s YouTube channel: / @radio7869
Hosted and produced: Hasanain Abdullah
Videography & Post-production: Aghmat Achmad
Connect with Qaanita Hunter and find out more about her work:
The Debrief Network: https://www.thedebriefnetwork.com/
Instagram: / qaanitah_hunter
LinkedIn: / qaanitah-hunter-622ab9220
Website: https://qaanitahhunter.com/
