SECTOR 4

4.3
The media cover the full spectrum of events,
issues and cultures, including business/economics,
cultural, local and investigative stories.
Generally the media are seen as covering the full spectrum of events, but there are
serious systemic gaps as outlined under indicator 4.2.
As a result, most media are serving a minority of South Africans – the literate,
middle to high income earning groups based in urban centres. Very few outlets
address the issues of rural, peri-urban and poor people in a sustained manner.
There is, however, considerable and increasing focus on investigative journalism
recently: specialised investigative units have been set up in 2010, for example at
Media24, the Independent group and the Mail & Guardian, with the latter being
supported by the Open Society Foundation.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score: 			

2.7 (2008 = 3.2; 2006 = 3.2)

4.4. Equal opportunities regardless of race, social
group, gender/sex, religion, disabilities and age are
promoted in media houses.
Media houses, editors in particular, are actively promoting equal opportunities
and diversity among their staff and they are succeeding up to a point. Executive
editorial positions are still dominated by men. The trend is shifting, however, and
diversity is increasing even in top jobs: over recent years many women have been
appointed as news editors and editors (at least eight mainstream titles now have
female editors, the highest number ever).

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2010

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