SOUTH AFRICA – Lack of support and resources is identified as the common plight placing the majority of local community news publishers at a disadvantage, according to Mbali Dhlomo, the chairperson of the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP).
Speaking to the Highveld Chronicle about the association’s month-long campaign, dubbed “Journalism Emergency,” Dhlomo emphasized the urgent need to protect local media and uphold community empowerment.
“During this campaign, it’s crucial to shed light on the struggles faced by publishers, which directly affect our citizens,” she remarked. ” We share the same plight all over. We don’t have access to funding, and we don’t have support”
Dhlomo lamented the absence of backing from major retailers, despite small publishers’ presence in the very spaces frequented by these retailers’ customers. “We distribute our papers there, but we’re not receiving the advertising and inserts support we need,” she explained.
She further shared the gloomy picture that the lack of support has led to many small local publishers struggling to survive and eventually closing down. The number of AIP publications has dwindled from 204 in 2016 to the current 178. “The overall print runs were 7.5 million copies monthly; now we have 2.5 million. We boasted a monthly readership of 22.6 million across the country. Currently, we have approximately 7.5 million readers, which marks a monthly drop of 15.1 million over 8 years,” explained Dhlomo.
Even government support, she argued, falls short of expectations. “While the government encouraged small local media to foster diversity and challenge media monopolies, the reality contradicts this aspiration,” she remarked. “Mainstream media still receives a larger chunk of support from government itself.”
“We have a big role to play in the community which is to inform and educate, yet we’re not receiving the necessary backing,” Dhlomo emphasized.
Highlighting some of the benefits for AIP members, Dhlomo noted that circumstances have led to a change of strategy. “We had to cut back on the number of trainings and are now shifting towards creating opportunities to sustain and grow publishers, such as the recent US trip for our members, and also partnering with industry role players through constant engagements such as the ‘Media’ SUSTAINABILITY platform.”
The ‘Journalism Emergency’ campaign aims to gather over 2000 signatures from citizens across the country through an online petition. Its goal is to draw attention to the plight of local media among stakeholders.
AIP Executive Director Kate Skinner urged support for the campaign, stating, ” By endorsing our campaign, you will not only help amplify our message but also contribute to our collective effort in addressing severe challenges faced by our publishers.”
To support the campaign, individuals can sign the petition on the AIP website (www.aip.org.za).
AIP’s calls to action include urging citizens to purchase and subscribe to local publications, pay membership fees, and make donations where publications are offered for free. They also call on corporates to advertise collectively across local publications, local businesses to support publications at the grassroots level, and the government to provide more advertising support at all levels and ensure transparency in advertising placements. Additionally, they request government press statements to be accompanied by advertising in local media.
AIP is the biggest independent publisher organization in Africa, with member publications representing all 11 official languages in the country. Out of the 178 publications, 109 publish in languages other than English. Highveld Chronicle has been a member of AIP since our establishment in 2016.
