revitalize old Xhosa language titles.
Broadcasting:
Radio has the widest reach of any media in the country – and its reach is increasing. In 2007,
81.1 % of South Africans listened to radio, up from 78.1 % two years ago (AMPS 2007).
Television is up from 66.9 % in 2005 to 70.5 % last year.
There is a wide range of radio stations accessible in all South African languages – a total of 105
licensed community and 34 non-community radio stations. Community radio has a combined
listenership of 18.6 % of the audience over the last seven days while the public/commercial
stations boast a combined 91.0 % (AMPS 2008 – respondents named more than one station).
The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) television stations have the most viewers, with SABC’s viewership of 70.2 % taking the lead, SABC 2 coming in second with 58.3
% and SABC 3 third with 44.9%. The private terrestrial free-to-air station e-tv has a share of
58.4 % and the satellite subscription service DSTV reaches 8.3% (AMPS 2007). – In late 2007,
a first TV community station opened (Soweto TV) and another (in Cape Town) is about to go
on air in August this year.
Internet:
Survey figures for internet usage are very low, and internet is only being used by people in the
top income brackets. According to AMPS 2007, 7.3 % of the total population had access to the
internet at home, whilst 7.6 % of the total population had used e-mail in the past four weeks.
Most newspapers and weeklies have online editions which have received widespread acceptance among consumers and businesses.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

2.2

2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 4, 4, 3, 4
3.4
(2006 = 2.8)

Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not
restricted by state authorities.

ANALYSIS:
There is no restriction of access by state authorities and there is no censorship.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

So This Is Democracy? 2008

5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
5.0
(2006 = 4.8)

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Media Institute of Southern Africa

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