R2K calls for disclosure of the names of the members and financiers of the bid to buy Independent Newspapers

The Irish owners of  Independent News and Media South Africa have now approved the sale of  the company to the Sekunjalo consortium bringing the deal one step closer to fruition. The Right2Know Campaign has written to the Competition Commission calling for full disclosure of the names of members and financiers of the Surve consortium that are poised to take control of one of South Africa’s four dominant print media corporations.

In a context where these four corporations control over 80% of all print circulation (with NASPERS alone controlling over 40%). This monopolisation of the print media constrains media diversity and limits media freedom in South Africa.  Because those who control these companies have undue influence over our media landscape it is vital that there is full disclosure of the names of the members and financiers of the Surve consortium.

Changes in the ownership of monopolies amounts to “palace politics” and will do little to enhance media diversity in South Africa. Media freedom and diversity are two sides of the same coin. Without media freedom the media would become the voice of the government, without a diversity of ownership and economic models (non-commercial and commercial) the media would be the voice of an economic elite.

We reiterate our call for Parliament to intensify its efforts to pursue media transformation well beyond superficial changes in the demographics of monopoly ownership. The State must take steps to limit monopolies and dramatically increase support for public and community media.