Tupopila Security in Financial Trouble – Namibian Sun

Name of article: Tupopila Security in Financial Trouble
Name of Publication: Namibian Sun
Date: 22 October 2009
Country: Namibia
Skills:
Genre: News

GEM Classification: Gender Blind

Description:
The article is about security guards protesting because they had not been paid for four months. The security guards are employed by Tupopila Security, a company hired by the Ministry of Health and Social Services to guard state hospitals and clinics countrywide. Apparently experts warned the state that the company was high-risk and would face financial woes as the quote for the contract was “ridiculously” low. Workers were afraid that they would not receive back pay. Namibia Security Guards and Watchmen Union also characterised the strike as illegal and called on workers to organise and take action. Management had remained silent on the matter.

Analysis
The story is about security guards who had been employed and then not paid. The article does not discuss the effect that non-payment would have on the daily lives of workers. The picture shows male and female staff on strike but the author fails to get their views.

The article ignores the gender-dimension and downplays the presence and contribution of women in this industry. Women have broken new ground by entering into this field regarded as risky and male-dominated.

The article could have entered with a fresh angle by including the voices of both men and women. The gender dimension could have been tackled and would have brought new insight into the plight and challenges, and or opportunities, of working in the security industry. Readers are not informed about the numbers of workers involved.

The coverage provides background but falls short of providing any critical analysis. It canvasses a guard who talks about the plight of those directly affected. A union official is quoted and offers perspective on the way forward. The journalist’s attempts to get management’s view fails. The workers contend they face a brick wall in trying to secure meetings with management.

Headline
The headline reads: Tupopila Security in Financial Trouble. As a stand-alone headline it does not capture the essence of the story. However, the sub-heading highlights the labour action.

It reads: “Guards go on strike after months of no pay”. The headline and the sub-heading make clear to readers skimming the paper about the protest action undertaken by workers. The headline works well with the sub-heading. It links two issues: the state of business at the company and the consequences for workers who have not been paid and are now striking.

Sources
The article quotes two men, a security guard and senior union official. Some background research allows readers insight into the reasons for the failing business. Research information about the daily rate of employment is also put forward.

Language
The language used is neutral. No particular stereotypes have been perpetuated in the language use.

Visual Images
The image which accompanies this story extends to male and female employees of Tupopila Securities. Workers are being presented as fighting jointly for the same cause: no pay for work. A caption reads: We want our money: Security guards of Tupopila at the Windhoek Central Hospital. The image captured is strong and brings to fore images on an aggrieved group.

Story angle and perspective
The story is event-driven. The article is based on a mix of direct observation, interviews and some background research. The angle is based on the strike action. It is a news report.

Placement or positioning
The story is placed on page six and displayed prominently. The article takes over half of the page.