PHUMELELA Publishing, which boasts ComputaForm, Computaform Express, Racing Express and tabonline among its many print and online publications, now subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced.

As a member of the Press Council, Phumelela Publishing further subscribes to the Press Council of South Africa’s co-regulatory processes and has agreed to be subjected to the prescripts of the Press Council.

According to Rob Scott, CEO of Tellytrack, the decision to voluntarily join the Press Council was taken in the wake of the degenerating South African racing media landscape, where rumours, half-truths and fake news are too often presented as fact.

It is important that punters and the racing fraternity have a media source they can trust – a media source that is committed to truthful, accurate, fair and balanced reporting on all things racing. That source is Phumelela Publishing.

True to the Press Code, Phumelela Publishing reaffirms its commitment to maintain credibility and keep the trust of the public.

“Unfortunately, fake news is a reality in this day and age and some publications offer a platform for every Tom, Dick and Harry to spread it.

“By joining the Press Council, we now offer our readers a guarantee that all racing news published by Phumelela Publishing must be of the highest standard – including ethically and morally. It’s important for readers and punters to know that the news articles around racing published by us contain verified and substantiated facts.”

Scott adds that he would like to see all the racing publications in the country follow Phumelela’s example.

“The added advantage for readers is that, should a publication subscribe to the Press Code, it can be held accountable to maintain the set standards by the Press Ombudsman. So, it’s not just an empty promise. We voluntarily subject ourselves to the jurisdiction of the Press Ombudsman and we urge all other racing publications to do the same.” – Phumelela Gaming.