From the start, it was all about You. And Huisgenoot.

This year, various ANC politicians have accused the media, and journalists generally, of being skiving gits. Of being people with no moral code, who'll do anything for a story. Of being people who think they are above the law, who don't care about ruining other people's lives.

By Stephen Grootes: @StephenGrootes

1 Dec 2010

Unfortunately, a court judgment is now going to give them plenty of ammunition. And worse, the court judgment, from what we can see, is absolutely correct.

It's not a case about politics, or politicians or even a vaguely political journal. But it is about one of the oldest magazines in the country. That's right, it's Huisgenoot. Founded in 1916, it has fed South Africans, along with its English publication You, a diet of celebrity gossip and titillating copy. It's one of the few publications in this country that appears to pay cash money for interviews with newsmakers.

The crime of which it's been convicted on Tuesday, 30 November 2010, by the Supreme Court of Appeal no less, is contempt of court.

Continue reading the full analysis on www.thedailymaverick.co.za.

About Stephen Grootes: @StephenGrootes

Stephen Grootes is political reporter for Eyewitness News (www.ewn.co.za) and contributing editor for Business Day (www.businessday.co.za). He used to write for The Daily Maverick (www.thedailymaverick.co.za). Follow him on Twitter at @StephenGrootes.
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