medialatest news & developments

CHRIS ROPER: Journalism’s next act

Journalism, but make it live …

DUNCAN McLEOD: Why it’s always a bundle of Boks

DStv's latest package reshuffle offers cheaper sports options, but international events remain behind a premium paywall

CHRIS ROPER: The new propaganda war is fought in your feed

Modern propaganda has moved from physical leaflet drops to covert digital influence campaigns

Video

PODCAST: ListenUP! The final countdown

Mark Barnes and Tim Cohen say cheers and thanks for the fish

LETTER: Great journalism, and funny AF

Long-time reader reflects on the FM's great journalism and humour.

Picture: 123RF / PIOTR ADAMOWICZ

A case of c’est l’Afrique for Canal+?

Canal+ Africa CEO David Mignot reveals the unexpected cost increases embedded in MultiChoice's structure post-acquisition, but remains confident.

United24 Ukraine. Rawpixel/Currency

Russia meets its match on the information battlefield

United24 has become Ukraine’s digital frontline, aiming to counter Russian disinformation with speed, evidence and compelling storytelling

Sekunjalo Independent Online. Rawpixel/Currency

Inside Sekunjalo’s latest media pivot

Sekunjalo, now without PIC money, is shedding its old media assets as it seeks to become South Africa’s New York Times

Iqbal Survé. Gallo Images/Wessel Oosthuizen

Iqbal Survé’s 13-year, R458m reckoning    

For over a decade, Survé’s Sekunjalo paid neither capital nor interest on a R150m loan given to build his media empire. A new ruling holds out some hope for repayment (but not a…

Film and TV industry. Rawpixel/Currency collage

Is it curtains for South Africa’s film industry?

The country’s film sector is in crisis, with incentive applications gathering dust and claims going unpaid, producers say

Currency Financial Mail Miningmx

Betting on financial media: why Apex is buying Currency and Miningmx

The first major investment in the media sector in years runs counter to the narrative of a broader market collapse

Trump media; Alex Wong/Getty Images / Rawpixel / Currency collage

Donald Trump trumps Africa

There’s nothing subtle about the US president – from dominating the media to excluding South Africa from the G20

M20 G20 vultures hypnosis. Rawpixel/Currency collage

Vultures, bad actors and hallucinations: M20 says the G20 must step up

The M20 – a global media initiative – is lobbying to ensure issues related to information integrity are reflected in the G20 policy agenda

Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Joanne Smith

PR maven Joanne Smith talks restaurants, running, surrealist art and the rituals that keep her grounded

South Africa is facing a fast-growing epidemic of gambling addiction.

Why gambling needs the same crackdown as tobacco 

Gambling has become South Africa’s next addiction crisis, fuelled by smartphones, sleek marketing and weak oversight.

Lebo Madiba. Picture: supplied

Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Lebo Madiba

The PR maven on fizzy water, a high school crush on Common, and how gardening taught her patience and rhythm

Google and media. Picture: currency

Google’s R500m news payout: fair or extortion? 

South African regulators want Google to cough up for local media’s decline – but is it really to blame?