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Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867614040721719296 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mareka, Reitumetse |
| author2 | Schulz-Herzenberg, Collette |
| author_browse | Mareka, Reitumetse Schulz-Herzenberg, Collette |
| author_facet | Schulz-Herzenberg, Collette Mareka, Reitumetse |
| author_sort | Mareka, Reitumetse |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136257 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:45:43.568Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136257 Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know Mareka, Reitumetse Schulz-Herzenberg, Collette Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Political Science. Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Mareka, R. 2026. Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/c2f34aa3-4c11-461b-a412-173354e73c82 By making use of the democratic theory this thesis examines the contested divide between politicians' privacy and the public's right to access information in South Africa's constitutional democracy. It is strengthened by insights from deliberative democratic theory, which emphasises the need for an informed citizenry and a transparent public sphere – both of which are central to understanding how privacy and the public’s right to know are balanced in a democratic context. Though both rights are essential, privacy protecting human dignity and individual autonomy, and transparency facilitating democratic accountability, their convergence continues to be invaded by legal uncertainty, ethical complexities, and practical challenges, particularly in the era of digital media. Based on the qualitative findings from legal and media experts through semi-structured interviews, aided by analysis of legislation, case law and academic writings, the research adopts a dual methodological approach consisting of thematic and discourse analysis. This not only permits identification of crucial tensions, such as when private actions become relevant to public office, but also discloses how professional discourses mould the conceptualization of these rights. Legal professionals highlight constitutional balancing and procedural clarity, whereas media experts focus on ethical journalism and the watchdog role, albeit from profit-driven interests and market pressures. The study concludes that no fixed line exists between privacy and public interest. Instead, the boundary remains fluid, context-specific, and constantly reshaped by technological advancements, political culture, and institutional practices. Fundamental obstacles specific to the South African setting are inconsistent legal standards, reactive judicial remedies, media sensationalism, and public-private boundaries being blurred on social media. To address them, the thesis makes practical recommendations suggesting clearer legal standards to govern when private actions warrant public scrutiny; non-monetary judicial remedies such as mandatory corrections or right-of-reply mechanisms; strengthened editorial guidelines and media accountability; enhanced powers for independent regulators such as the Information Regulator; and intensive public education led by civil society to discern legitimate public interest from curiosity. Masters 2026-04-29T13:51:01Z 2026-04-29T13:51:01Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136257 en Stellenbosch University 166 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Mareka, Reitumetse Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know |
| title | Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know |
| title_full | Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know |
| title_fullStr | Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know |
| title_full_unstemmed | Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know |
| title_short | Balancing Secrecy and Scrutiny: Politicians' Privacy and the Public's Right to Know |
| title_sort | balancing secrecy and scrutiny politicians privacy and the public s right to know |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136257 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marekareitumetse balancingsecrecyandscrutinypoliticiansprivacyandthepublicsrighttoknow |