South Africa (MDDA) which funds community media; the Film and Publications Board; and Brand South Africa and the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS)--both of which administer public relations. The media have a key role to play in ensuring fair and transparent elections with informed voters. They act as a watchdog, ensuring greater transparency and accountability during the election process, providing citizens with information on their candidates, party policies and the elections process, enabling them to make informed decisions when they cast their votes or engage in public debate. 56 So This is Democracy? 2014 It is concerning that the public broadcaster is grouped with organisations whose mandate is to positively promote South Africa and further the South Africa “brand”. This raises serious concerns about the independence of institutions such as the SABC and ICASA and whether the broadcaster will be used for propaganda rather than news. ELECTIONS AND THE MEDIA SABC provides predominantly positive election coverage to ruling party On 11 May 2014, the results of South Africa’s fifth democratic election since 1994 were announced – confirming a second term for President Jacob Zuma. In South Africa, despite a diversified media environment, the costs of accessing this media - internet access, satellite television contracts, buying printed publications – means the majority of the population rely on the public television and radio stations for news and information. And in recent years South Africa’s public broadcaster, SABC, has increasingly proven to be hampered by selfcensorship and board loyalties to the ruling party. During the election, South African newspaper CityPress reported that SABC management ordered senior SABC news executives not to broadcast footage of the crowds attending opposition election rallies. And, SABC board chairperson Ellen Tshabalala reportedly told news staff the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) was monitoring their mobile phones. The media have a key role to play in ensuring fair and transparent elections with informed voters. They act as a watchdog, ensuring greater transpar-