Anton Harber

Anton Harber is a South African journalist, author, and academic who has played a significant role in South African media and journalism education. He co-founded the Weekly Mail newspaper (now Mail & Guardian) in 1985 and served as its editor during the pivotal years of apartheid resistance. Currently a professor of journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, Harber has written several books examining South African media and politics. His works include "Diepsloot" (2011), which explores life in a post-apartheid township, and "So, for the Record: Behind the Headlines in an Era of State Capture" (2020), which investigates corruption and media challenges in contemporary South Africa. His contributions to journalism have earned him multiple awards, including the Pringle Award for media freedom and the Nat Nakasa Award for integrity and courage in journalism. Harber has also served as editor-in-chief of South Africa's eNCA television news service and continues to be an influential voice in discussions about media ethics, press freedom, and journalism education. As a media commentator and analyst, Harber regularly contributes to various publications and has been involved in several media organizations, including the South African National Editors' Forum and the Freedom of Expression Institute. His work consistently focuses on media accountability, investigative journalism, and the role of journalism in democratic societies.

Readers of Harber's work appreciate his detailed research and first-hand accounts of South African journalism and politics. His book "Diepsloot" receives credit for presenting an unvarnished look at township life through direct reporting and resident interviews. Readers highlight the accessibility of his writing in "So, for the Record," noting how he breaks down complex corruption cases into understandable narratives. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "Harber manages to untangle the web of state capture without oversimplifying." Some readers note his academic writing style can be dry. A few Goodreads reviews mention that "Diepsloot" could have included more personal stories to balance the statistical analysis. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Diepsloot": 3.8/5 (42 ratings) - "So, for the Record": 4.1/5 (37 ratings) Amazon: - "So, for the Record": 4.3/5 (16 ratings) - "Diepsloot": 4.0/5 (12 ratings) The limited number of online reviews suggests his works reach a specialized audience interested in South African media and politics.

Diepsloot (2011) An examination of life in the Johannesburg township of Diepsloot, based on months of firsthand reporting and interviews with residents.

The Gorilla in the Room: Why South African Journalism Matters (2020) A detailed analysis of South African journalism's role in democracy, drawing from the author's experiences as editor and media professional.

So, for the Record: Behind the Headlines in an Era of State Capture (2020) An investigation into South African media's coverage of state capture and corruption, focusing on the Sunday Times' role during the period.

Life in the Time of Virus (2021) A collection of essays examining the impact of COVID-19 on South African society and media landscape.

George Monbiot exposes power structures and investigates environmental issues through research journalism. His writing focuses on corporate influence and ecological collapse in a way that parallels Harber's examinations of media and institutional power.

Christopher Hitchens wrote extensively about political corruption and media manipulation through firsthand reporting. His work covering conflicts and media propaganda shares themes with Harber's focus on journalism ethics and truth-seeking.

Seymour Hersh uncovers hidden government activities and institutional misconduct through investigative journalism. His methodology of exposing covered-up stories aligns with Harber's approach to media criticism.

Glenn Greenwald reports on surveillance, civil liberties, and the relationship between media and state power. His analysis of how journalism intersects with power structures follows similar lines as Harber's work.

Martha Gellhorn wrote about war and political conflict from a ground-level perspective that emphasized truth over official narratives. Her commitment to exposing reality through journalism mirrors Harber's focus on media integrity.