On 11 May 2000, free-to-air channel e.tv began broadcasting its current affairs show, 3rd Degree, which rapidly built up a reputation for hard-hitting investigative reports. Some 450 episodes and 24 awards later, founding member, anchor and executive producer, Debora Patta, has become the face of the show and of “the relentless search for the truth’.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration held at the Sandton Sun, Johannesburg on 11 May, Patta paid tribute to the management of e.tv for allowing the show complete editorial freedom. “I also pay tribute to South Africa’s democratic constitution which entrenches freedom of the press. There are so many countries in Africa and the world where a show like 3rd Degree would not be permitted. Nobody from government would dare phone us up and tell us not to put something on air. This environment of press freedom has allowed us to become a voice for ordinary South Africans and as journalists we need to be worthy of this constitution.’
In the 10 years of its existence, the show has covered innumerable political and social issues, frauds, cons, crime and news events. In 2001 3rd Degree did its first international show, covering the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre. It has followed George Bush, Barrack Obama, the Gulf War, the Iraq war and the rise of Jacob Zuma and Julius Malema. Further, the show has consistently noted the South African government’s decade-long Aids denialism and its total reluctance to intervene in the Zimbabwe crisis.
At the anniversary celebration e.tv CEO Marcel Golding recalled how the show came into being: “Debora Patta, while on maternity leave from the e.tv newsroom, approached us with the idea of doing a current affairs show. I told her she had two weeks and R50,000 with which to do it. We didn’t have much money in those early days but we wanted to contribute to South Africa’s growing democracy through thoughtful investigation. For me 3rd Degree is part of e.tv’s fabric as it embodies all our core values – perseverance, dedication and discipline. These are old style values which prove that if you work hard, you achieve all your goals.
“Lots of people over the decade have contributed to 3rd Degree’s consistent high quality. We know and appreciate their valuable contribution. At the heart of it all stands Debora. With Debora you get what you see – she doesn’t leave you neutral. Debora has put us at the forefront of investigative journalism. The show has built itself as a formidable voice in the industry and it is now the most watched current affairs programme in South Africa. Advertisers too, have seen the value of supporting such a thought-provoking programme. e.tv is now in 12 African countries and by the end of the year we hope to be in 40. We want to extend the 3rd Degree franchise to other parts of Africa.’
Former 3rd Degree executive producer and now the face of CNN Africa Nkepile Mabuse referred to 3rd Degree as “a movement’, saying that the show had come to occupy that space in South Africa. “For the past 10 years 3rd Degree has been saying to politicians that it’s not OK to abuse their power. This programme has been allowed to do what it does without restraint. So we need to appreciate this fact about South Africa and about e.tv management.’
Patta noted that she became a journalist 20 years ago so that she could change the world. “I soon realised that I couldn’t change the world but that through 3rd Degree we could make a difference. Exposing things on air empowers people to make changes. As 3rd Degree we’ve had a front seat in watching history unfold. We’d like to think the show makes people think a bit more carefully before they do something.
“I believe our teams have pioneered a very different style of journalism. We go running to places that most people run away from. Politicians refuse to come on our show but 10 years later they do end up coming on the show.’
In closing Patta thanked all those who have worked on the programme over the years.
The 3rd Degree episode broadcast on 11 May at 9.30pm comprises clips from some of the most controversial stories from the last decade.
