Noseweek

Noseweek was a South African monthly satirical tabloid established in 1993 and published by Chaucer Publications. Its editorial identity combined investigative journalism, satire, and an adversarial approach to people and institutions exercising public or commercial power. The publication became particularly associated with stories involving the legal profession, financial institutions, judicial figures, public officials, and contested conduct in South Africa's public life. The magazine's editorial model was unusually exposed to litigation. Its reporting and commentary generated repeated legal actions, including defamation proceedings and applications seeking to prevent publication. One prominent episode occurred in 2008, when banking group FirstRand sought an interdiction against Noseweek. The application failed, and editor Martin Welz represented himself in the proceedings. The case reinforced the publication's image as an independent and combative outlet willing to defend controversial reporting in court. Noseweek also faced defamation actions associated with judge Fikile Bam and former public protector Selby Baqwa. These disputes reflected the risks inherent in the magazine's focus on allegations concerning influential individuals and institutions. The publication presented itself as an advocate for the underdog and as a challenger of established authority, while its critics and legal opponents disputed the accuracy or fairness of particular reports. A significant later case concerned an article published in 2014 about senior attorney Leonard Katz and allegations relating to his conduct in liquidation trials. Katz brought a defamation action, and in 2021 the court found against Noseweek. Editor Martin Welz and Chaucer Publications were ordered to pay R330,000, together with legal costs; this was substantially below the R1 million in damages Katz had sought. After the judgment, Welz said that the print edition was unlikely to survive, although the operation might continue online. Noseweek's print run consequently ended in March 2021, after appearing in print from June 1993. Its 28-year print history made it a durable example of independent South African magazine publishing, particularly in a market where legally aggressive reporting could create substantial financial and operational pressure. The brand's post-2021 status is unclear from the available reference material: the print publication was described as unlikely to continue, while possible online activity was left open. Noseweek is therefore best understood as a historically significant South African satirical and investigative publication whose principal print incarnation ended after the 2021 defamation judgment.

Noseweek was founded in South Africa in 1993 and developed as a monthly satirical tabloid published by Chaucer Publications. It appeared in print from June 1993 until March 2021. The publication's editorial style combined satire with investigative reporting and commentary directed at powerful individuals, companies, public bodies, and professional institutions. The magazine became notable for its willingness to publish material that attracted legal resistance. Rather than operating as a conventional general-interest periodical, Noseweek cultivated an adversarial identity, presenting itself as an independent publication prepared to scrutinize authority and speak for people with less institutional power. This approach gave it a distinctive place within South African magazine journalism but also exposed it to repeated defamation claims and applications intended to restrict publication. In 2008, FirstRand, a major banking group, brought an interdiction application against Noseweek. The bid failed, and editor Martin Welz represented himself during the proceedings. The episode became one of the publication's best-known legal confrontations. Other legal disputes involved judge Fikile Bam and former public protector Selby Baqwa, illustrating the range of public figures and institutions affected by the magazine's reporting. The most consequential later dispute arose from a 2014 article concerning senior attorney Leonard Katz. The article made allegations about Katz's behavior in liquidation trials, and Katz sued for defamation. In 2021, Noseweek lost the case. Welz and publisher Chaucer Publications were ordered to pay R330,000, along with legal costs. The award was approximately one-third of the R1 million Katz had claimed. After the 2021 ruling, Welz stated that Noseweek's print publication was unlikely to survive, although he indicated that the wider operation might continue online. The print edition ended in March 2021 after 28 years of publication. The available reference material does not establish the extent or continuity of any subsequent online operation, so the brand's present status remains uncertain. Historically, Noseweek is associated with independent South African investigative and satirical publishing, a strong anti-establishment editorial voice, and the legal and financial pressures that can accompany aggressive reporting.

• 2021

  Defamation judgment concerning Leonard Katz

  [1]Noseweeken.wikipedia.org

  Noseweek, Martin Welz, and Chaucer Publications lose a defamation case over a 2014 article and are ordered to pay damages and legal costs.

• 2021

  End of the print edition

  [1]Noseweeken.wikipedia.org

  Print publication ends in March after 28 years; continued online activity is mentioned as a possibility but is not established by the available material.

• 2008

  FirstRand interdiction bid fails

  [1]Noseweeken.wikipedia.org

  Banking group FirstRand's attempt to obtain an interdiction against Noseweek is unsuccessful.

• 1993

  Noseweek is founded

  [1]Noseweeken.wikipedia.org

  Noseweek is established in South Africa as a satirical tabloid published by Chaucer Publications.

• 1993

  First print issue appears

  [1]Noseweeken.wikipedia.org

  The magazine's print publication begins in June.

Independent, satirical, investigative journalism focused on challenging powerful institutions and defending the interests of the underdog.

• Monthly satirical magazine · 1993

  Noseweek print edition

  The principal product was a monthly South African satirical tabloid published from June 1993 to March 2021. It combined investigative reporting, criticism of powerful institutions, and humor or satire. Its coverage frequently dealt with legal, financial, judicial, and political controversies, making the print edition the central expression of the brand's independent and adversarial editorial positioning.

• Online journalism

  Noseweek online publication

  Following the 2021 defamation judgment, editor Martin Welz indicated that the print operation was unlikely to survive but that activity might continue online. The available reference material does not confirm the scope, frequency, or current status of the online publication.

• 2021

  Consideration of an online continuation after print closureStrategy

  Background

  The publication faced a major defamation judgment after losing the Leonard Katz case, creating additional financial and operational pressure.

  Action taken

  Martin Welz said the print publication was unlikely to survive while indicating that operations might continue online.

  Aftermath

  The print edition ended in March 2021. The extent of any subsequent online continuation is not established by the available source material.

  Defamation damages ordered. R330,000 (2021 judgment)

  Source

1. 1Noseweeken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Noseweek official websitenoseweek.co.za