By Marcus Moloko
The North West Media Sustainability and Collaboration Summit concluded at the North West University Mahikeng Campus with a strong message from Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, who urged stakeholders to unite around sustainable models to secure the future of community media.
Morolong highlighted the sector’s critical role in democracy and development.
“The role of media in any society is vital, and since 1994, we have strived to ensure a free, independent, and thriving media sector. Of course, the landscape today is very different from what confronted us in 1994.”
Reflecting on the decline of traditional print and the rise of digital platforms, Morolong said community media had to adapt.
“Digital transformation has moved the dial, and the power that once resided in the hands of a select few is now accessible to everyone. A content creator armed with only a smartphone can break a story that once required a newsroom.”
He acknowledged the challenges highlighted in the Media Development and Diversity Agency’s (MDDA) 2024–2025 Annual Report, noting that only 7% of community media organisations consider themselves sustainable.
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“The survival of the community media sector has been at the forefront of various administrations since 1994. GCIS and the MDDA continue to support this noble cause, funding hundreds of projects and prioritising advertising spend on community media,” he said.
Morolong also addressed the growing influence of social media on news consumption, citing research showing that 77% of South Africans access news on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
“The battle is now for attention and trust. Community media, if armed with the proper tools, can become the vanguard of credible news in communities and households,” he added.
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In closing, he stressed the importance of collaboration.
“The tendency to go it alone or to gatekeep is something that we must guard against. By working together, community media can harness collective strengths and networks. For the first time in history, the playing field is wide open; I therefore urge you to look to the future and grasp the moment.”
