Unlike Media24 and TMG, the Independent does not have a strong national title, but covers major population centers with local newspapers to much the same effect. (Delwyn Verasamy)
Although many small independent titles have a disproportionate influence on South African news and public opinion, four main groups dominate the landscape. Until recently, three of his companies were seen as anti-ANC, but the new ownership of the independent group and his increased control of the SABC could change the balance.
Naspers/Media24
Owner: Public investment corporation (government pension fund), various institutions. The ANC remains deeply distrustful of its Afrikaans roots, despite the changing tone of the Afrikaans title over the past two decades and the growing ownership of its listed parent company. News24 online portal has a huge readership; daily sun Despite the decline in readership for Afrikaans titles, their influence is greater than ever.
Position: Government watchdog, openly criticizes some ANC policies and reports extensively on corruption and related scandals.
times media group
Owner: Public Investment Corporation (Government Pension Fund) Caxton. others.Considering ownership, it should be considered neutral, but the investigation reveals sunday times and a pro-capitalist position Business day TMG is colored as anti-ANC.Both times And that sowetan Even within the ruling party, he is viewed as dangerous.
Position: Government watchdog, openly criticizes some ANC policies and reports extensively on corruption and related scandals.
independent group
Ownership: Sekunjalo Media. It is owned by trade union investment bodies and broad empowerment groups, among others. Sekunjalo declined to answer questions about how much control Chinese investors have.
Unlike Media24 and TMG, the Independent does not have a strong national title, but covers major population centers with local newspapers to much the same effect. The company's foreign ownership, orchestrated in part by Nelson Mandela, was intended to keep it out of the way of other media groups. However, thanks to strong political and investigative reporting, it too came to be seen as anti-ANC. Party insiders expect the situation to change under Iqbal Sabe's control.
Positioning: Should change once the expectations of various politicians, analysts, and media watchers are met.
SABC
Owner: Government. Commercial radio stations have a lower public service mission than professional news organizations.
For years there has been a fierce battle for management and editorial control at the SABC, but only between factions within the ANC, particularly between Mbeki's and Zuma's camps. Although the SABC has few pure news organizations, its reach is greater among local radio stations and national television stations than any other news organization. And in theory, its coverage is pro-development and focused on nation-building.
Positioning: The public service mandate means different things to different people, but within the ANC it is seen as neutral with friendly tendencies.
gupta affiliated stores
Ownership: Controlled by the Gupta family through various vehicles, with Indian partners involved in several aspects.
Both new era And the brand new ANN7 has been launched with the promise of offering an alternative perspective in a market where the established perspective is considered anti-ANC. The Gupta family is very close to President Jacob Zuma and has been successful in attracting huge amounts of government spending.How new era It failed to attract an audience. Its circulation numbers have not been audited, so all of its readers' claims ring hollow, but all evidence points to the actual circulation numbers being negligible.
Positioning: Pro-government, pro-ANC, but not as outspoken as initially expected.
primedia/e.tv
Owners: trade union pension funds, broad empowerment groups, etc.
The Primedia radio station and the satellite broadcaster eNCA pose certain challenges to the ANC. Their ownership is close to perfect, with union funding supporting both. Primedia also promotes pro-citizen (and in some cases sunshine) initiatives such as LeadSA. However, their reporting on the failures of both the ANC and the government is often scathing, which puts the ANC in a difficult position. Admitting that they are considered anti-ANC means acknowledging that this is not the reason behind the negative press.
Positioning: Very similar to Media24, TMG, and (historically) Independent Group titles, but I wish someone within the ANC would acknowledge that.
Private/Independent Title
Ownership: Very diverse. Some companies are privately held, some have empowered owners, and others are still effectively foreign-owned.
of email and guardian is owned by Zimbabwe; citizen's parent company, Caxton, publishes a free, apolitical local newspaper, and news-focused independent radio stations such as KayaFM have partners in the lead. However, from the ANC's perspective, these independents are almost indistinguishable from many other news outlets in their coverage of corruption, scandals and opposition parties.
Position: Varies, but often a government watchdog and willing to publish about scandals and outrages of various kinds.