On Tuesday I posted the story from Daily Maverick about investigative journalist Jacques Pauw claimed wrongful arrest for not paying his bill at an then unnamed Waterfront restaurant, arrested by the police, and spending part of a weekend in a holding cell. This was followed a few days later by a retraction of the story on Twitter by Pauw, describing a completely different set of circumstances, taking full responsibility for the events, and apologising to one and all involved.

Daily Maverick has been at great pains to explain its journalistic procedures and fact checking what took place when it allowed Pauw to post the story in its medium. Not only did Pauw not retract his story in the same publication in which his story first appeared, but Pauw’s actions caused the publication severe negative publicity. It has parted ways with Pauw as one of its contributing journalists.  Continue reading →