Editorial

Firstly, let’s get the introductions out of the way. I’m Marlon Abrahams, Editor-in-Chief of the Raven Report. Some of you may remember my prolific parenting columns on News24 and various other online platforms. I also hosted the first ever parenting show to be hosted by a man on the DSTV learning channel for one season, called Who’s Your Daddy, I think the episodes are still available for viewing on YouTube. I studied Journalism at Pen Tech (now CPUT) and had an exciting career as an editor of numerous corporate publications for various blue-chip companies like M-Net, Air Liquide and most recently the Senwes group.

As it happens, my journey has come full circle. After living and working in Gauteng and the North West province for more than 30 years and having traveled to more than 25 countries across 4 continents, I find myself back in Cape Town in the midst of the community where I was born, schooled and raised, namely the Northern Suburbs, the Ravensmead, Uitsig area to be exact.

Giving back

As you can tell, this is a new venture. I thought I saw a gap in the market for a new non-AI influenced, non-fake news information channel to our communities, where we produce community-based news and deliver it directly to your door. However, we’re kicking off with an online digital version which will be supported by social media platforms. 

Print

Once we generate enough views to make advertising viable, we will produce a print version which will be hand delivered directly to the more than 80 000 households in our designated distribution area which will cover the quadrangle from Ravensmead to Belhar, across to Netreg and Bishop Lavis and up to Elsies River and everything in between.

The AI Factor

AI has had an unexpected negative impact on the validity and authenticity of news and information online. Some influencers, like astrophysicist and author, Neil deGrasse Tyson, pointed out the potential for AI to “erode trust in information sources”. It should also be noted that the term “Fake News”, famously amplified by that beacon of “truth” Donald J Trump, has been given a very literal meaning since AI went mainstream. The word on the street is that the majority of internet users have lost their faith in online news reporting. Toe dink ek, maar wag, let’s go back to basics. And so, the Raven Report was born.

Why Raven you may ask. Well, if you know your ancient history, you will probably figure it out, or… maybe it has something to do with our head-office being in Ravensmead?

Game of Thrones

Fans of the global hit TV series Game of Thrones will know that in ancient times the highly intelligent Raven was used to communicate between communities far and wide by carrying messages. The more sinister connotations of the black bird are associated with the Crow, which we’ll be steering clear of as we will ONLY be covering good news. Our aim is to celebrate the heroes (gender neutral of course) in our communities by giving them a platform on which to share their achievements and so inspire the rest of us to BYOH – Be Your Own Hero.

We Need You

We’re going to do this differently, and we need your active participation.

The news section, is solely MY and your, yes, YOUR, responsibility okay. So, wat ek wil hê julle moet doen, is to send me your stories, no bad news though, ons het genoeg platvorms vir al die kak en drama wat aangaan in ons communities.

We will feature regular news, on, for example, Family of the week, featuring a nice pic of the family and some intspirational news about them. Similarly, I want to feature a school of the week celebrating a star learner or teacher, a church or mosque of the week, a hero of the week, a sports star or poet, writer, musician and so on. The Raven Report is all about celebrating what’s good in our communities. So please send your info and pix to editorinchief@ravenreport.co.za or Whatsapp at 0745037001.

Oh, voor ek vergeet, we’ll also have an events diary to share any community-based events aimed at bringing us together and upliftment. So, anything from church bazaars, school and sporting functions to lectures or workshops, business networking etc.

Calling All Businesses

And most important of all, we will feature a local business of the week.

All articles will be written or edited by professional journalists and the exposure will be absolutely FREE of charge initially. When we’re ready to produce the print edition, our advertising rate card (shared on our website) will be in effect.

So, businesses, listen up… Our print version offers you an authentic, direct-to-home, channel to advertise your products, business and services straight into the hearts and minds of our communities. No AI BS, no Fake News, just good old-fashioned, genuine community vibes.

So stiek-uit and email our sales team at advertising@ravenreport.co.za to discuss the best advertising option to create maximum exposure for your business. The freebie phase of our project will not last forever.

• I’d love to hear from you.

M