Find Media and Broadcasting expertise in South Africa
Freedom of expression and of the press is protected by the constitution. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), a public broadcasting organisation, is the country’s main broadcaster. It is legislatively mandated to function as an independent broadcaster. SABC operates three national TV networks and two pay-TV channels. E.tv is a free-to-air commercial network, while M-Net is a pay-TV channel. Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) operates a multi-channel satellite subscription network.
Radio broadcasting still serves as a primary medium to provide information to large portions of the population – most of the rural population listens to the radio on a daily basis. SABC has a network of 20 radio stations that can reach the entire population. Private radio stations also thrive, and are regulated by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The South African Press Association (SAPA) is the national news agency, but the main foreign news agencies also operate in the country. The main newspapers are Business Day, Cape Argus, Cape Times, Sowetan, The Citizen, The Star, Financial Mail, the Mail & Guardian, The Sunday Independent and The Times.