---
title: "Dirty linen, global stakes: Redi Tlhabi on the media’s failure in US–SA coverage"
description: "In a solo episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi turns the microphone on her own industry — calling out how some South African media has mishandled coverage of US–South Africa relations. From misplaced outrage to narratives driven by vested interests, Tlhabi unpacks the dangers of a media captured by factional agendas and reminds us what journalism is, and isn’t, meant to do."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "THE READINESS REPORT"
author: "Redi Tlhabi"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/redi-tlhabi/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-21-dirty-linen-global-stakes-redi-tlhabi-on-the-medias-failure-in-us-sa-coverage/"
published: "2025-07-21T21:40:48"
updated: "2025-07-21T21:40:51"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 39
---

# Dirty linen, global stakes: Redi Tlhabi on the media’s failure in US–SA coverage

> In a solo episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi turns the microphone on her own industry — calling out how some South African media has mishandled coverage of US–South Africa relations. From misplaced outrage to narratives driven by vested interests, Tlhabi unpacks the dangers of a media captured by factional agendas and reminds us what journalism is, and isn’t, meant to do.

By Redi Tlhabi · Published 21 July 2025, 23:40 SAST · Updated 21 July 2025, 23:40 SAST

## Key points
- In a riveting episode that could make even the most stoic of political analysts chuckle, Redi Tlhabi dissects the latest twists and turns in the political circus, proving once again that reality is often stranger—and way more entertaining—than fiction.
- UNAids' Global Aids Update 2025 highlights significant progress in fighting HIV/Aids globally.
- A looming funding crisis from USAid could lead to six million new infections and four million Aids-related deaths by 2029.
- The report emphasizes the urgent need for global solidarity to combat these challenges.
- For more insights, watch the discussion hosted by Redi Tlhabi featuring Winnie Byanyima.

## Content

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaHqzhsvQdE)

[Media](https://player.simplecast.com/da7913d7-6e05-4eae-9697-07b065c3e5f3?dark=false&color=F8F8F6)

**Hosted** by Redi Tlhabi
**Produced by** Emilie Gambade, Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa
**Original Theme Music & Design**by Bernard Kotze

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