PRESS COUNCIL COMPLAINT PART 1 — EXTREME VIOLATIONS OF THE PRESS CODE AND SYSTEMATIC ETHICAL BREACHES

The role of the media is to inform the public truthfully, accurately, and fairly. However, in this case, Media24/News24 abandoned even the most basic journalistic standards and instead became a tool of the individuals orchestrating a fraudulent legal and media campaign against me. This chapter provides a fact-based analysis of Media24’s numerous violations of the South African Press Code, demonstrating how their reporting was not merely negligent but systematically unethical and complicit in a criminal effort to destroy my reputation.

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Systemic Breaches: 95% Of The Content Was False Or Fabricated

An extensive forensic review of Media24’s reporting uncovered 119 provable falsehoods and fabrications, comprising approximately 95% of the content across multiple articles. These were not minor errors or occasional misinterpretations but a deliberate and systemic pattern of deceit, designed to promote an entirely false and damaging narrative.

• Every material claim of significance within these articles was either wholly false or manipulated to mislead readers.

• Key facts, legal outcomes, and documented evidence were either ignored or actively distorted to fit a pre-scripted narrative.

• When false allegations were disproven through court rulings, criminal investigations, and documentary evidence, Media24 refused to update or correct the record.

These articles did not report on a legal case—they were actively complicit in the conspiracy against me.

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How Media24 Became A Willing Participant In A Criminal Campaign

Rather than conducting independent investigations, Media24 acted as an uncritical mouthpiece for Wouter de Swardt and the Consortium—a group of individuals who had a direct financial motive to destroy my business, steal my assets, and ensure I was unable to fight back.

• Wouter De Swardt personally provided the defamatory claims that Media24 published without verification.

• Not a single journalist independently sought to verify the accuracy of the accusations.

• The articles followed a timeline that was directly aligned with De Swardt’s and the landlords’ attempts to unlawfully seize my properties.

At no stage did Media24 attempt to contact me for comment, verify court records, or engage with other sources to balance their reporting. This is not journalism—this is complicity in a criminal act.

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Deliberate Bias And Suppression Of Critical Information

Media24’s reporting demonstrated a clear, provable bias, evident through:

• Selective omission of exculpatory evidence – Court rulings and legal findings disproving the allegations were never reported.

• Fabricated allegations presented as fact – No attempt was made to qualify or verify false claims.

• Refusal to engage with counter-evidence – My repeated attempts to present documented proof were ignored.

• Sustained refusal to correct false reporting – Despite overwhelming evidence, the articles remain online, unchanged.

This was not negligence—this was the intentional manipulation of public perception through false reporting.

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Weaponizing The Power Of Online Media To Perpetuate Harm

Unlike print journalism, online articles are permanent, searchable, and actively indexed by Google. Media24 knew this and deliberately weaponized the power of digital media to ensure the false narrative they created remains the dominant story about me, indefinitely.

• By keeping these false articles live under all their publications, Media24 has ensured the defamation remains ongoing.

• The articles continue to appear at the top of search engine results, destroying my reputation with every new reader.

• Potential employers, legal professionals, and financial institutions continue to encounter these fabrications, making reintegration into society impossible.

This is not just irresponsible journalism—it is an act of ongoing, deliberate harm.

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Legal Violations Of The South African Press Code

The South African Press Code requires that media outlets adhere to the principles of accuracy, fairness, and transparency. Media24’s conduct represents a flagrant breach of these fundamental journalistic obligations, violating:

• Section 1.1 – Truthfulness And Accuracy

  • Falsehood: The articles claimed my August 2022 arrest was for “fraud.” Fact: I was arrested on baseless theft charges, later dismissed.

  • Falsehood: The articles falsely claimed that homeowners suffered financial ruin. Fact: The properties I leased achieved record-high rental revenues and market values.

• Section 1.2 – Fairness And Balance

  • No alternative perspectives were presented. Media24 exclusively relied on De Swardt and his associates, despite their vested interests.

  • No effort was made to verify court proceedings, property records, or my legal standing.

• Section 1.3 – Verification Of Facts

  • The articles falsely stated I had committed “ongoing fraud”, when court records show no evidence of such claims.

  • Media24 refused to verify the existence of supposed “victims”, allowing fabricated statements to be published as fact.

• Section 1.8 – Right Of Reply

  • I made multiple formal attempts to provide evidence and counterclaims, all of which were ignored.

• Section 3.3 – Protection Of Dignity And Reputation

  • The articles went beyond reporting and became a deliberate character assassination campaign.

Personal information, private details, and accusations unrelated to any legal proceedings were published solely to damage my reputation.

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The Role Of The Press Council In Failing To Hold Media24 Accountable

When confronted with overwhelming evidence of misconduct, the Press Council of South Africa failed to act, further enabling this campaign of defamation.

• Formal complaints were dismissed or ignored, despite extensive documentation of false reporting.

• No disciplinary action was taken against the journalists responsible.

• Media24 continues to operate with complete impunity, ensuring that their fabricated narratives remain unchallenged.

This case exposes not just individual journalistic failures, but the broader systemic corruption that allows media organizations to act as unchecked, unaccountable forces of destruction.

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The Consequences Of Media24’S Actions: A Legacy Of Irreparable Harm

Media24’s false reporting has inflicted severe, ongoing harm, including:

• Complete destruction of my reputation – Ensuring the false allegations remain at the top of search results.

• Financial devastation – Preventing any ability to recover my business or secure employment.

• Permanent legal and immigration issues – Ensuring that even though the charges were baseless, the public record remains stained.

• Severe psychological and emotional distress – Being unable to move forward with my life due to the sustained falsehoods.

Unlike a false newspaper article that fades over time, Media24 has created a permanent digital record of defamation. This means the damage does not end—it grows with every passing day.

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Conclusion: Media24’s Intentional Breach Of Public Trust

Media24’s reporting was not an accident. It was a premeditated, strategic effort to destroy my reputation, reinforce a false legal narrative, and protect individuals engaged in criminal misconduct.

• The violations of the Press Code are so extensive that they cannot be attributed to mere oversight.

• The refusal to engage, correct, or remove defamatory content proves an intent to continue causing harm.

• Media24 has aligned itself with criminals, enabling one of the most egregious abuses of the legal and media system in recent history.

This chapter exposes the full extent of Media24’s misconduct, providing irrefutable evidence of their complicity in a fabricated case against me. Their continued refusal to acknowledge the truth is not just a violation of journalistic ethics—it is a continuation of the crime itself.