Media
• Community newspapers in the Free State keep
the majority of the population informed on
local and provincial news
• Several targeted community radio stations
provide information and entertainment to rural
communities in the Free State
South Africa has as many as 20 daily and 13 weekly newspapers, the majority of which are available extensively across the nation, and certainly at key centres in the Free State. Today, South Africa’s media is without restriction and the highest law of the land, the Constitution, aggressively safeguards freedom of speech in all circles. Reporters Without Borders rates the South African press among the freest in Africa, and consistently ahead of countries such as Italy, Spain and Australia.
Community newspapers remain an important tool in the Free State Province, especially among the rural communities. Examples of community newspapers in the province include Bloemnuus, Express, Express Qwa Qwa, Forum, Kroonnuus, Maluti, Ons Stad, Vista and Vrystaat. Bloemnuus, Express, Vista and Ons Stad each have a local readership of over 100 000.
Radio
The SABC, the national broadcaster, runs radio
stations especially geared towards the Free
State audience, as well as several that cover
parts of the province and parts of others.
• Lesedi FM targets Sesotho-speaking listeners
and broadcasts throughout the province.
• Motsweding FM delivers content in Setswana
to listeners in central South Africa.
• Umhlobo Wenene is primarily based in the
Eastern Cape, but the second-largest radio
station in the country does have a presence
in the Free State, broadcasting in isiXhosa.
• Ukhozi FM broadcasts in isiZulu to a daily
audience of 6.67 million listeners, including
those in the northern and eastern Free State.
Community radio remains a critical part of the South African broadcasting landscape, broadcasting in every South African language and servicing every corner of the country.
Community radio stations in the Free State include OFM, Qwa Qwa Radio, Mosupatsela FM, Overvaal Stereo, Radio Panorama, Radio Rosestad, Naledi FM, Lentswe and Setsoto FM.
While community radio may struggle to access advertising and other sources of financing, it remains an invaluable source of information and entertainment for many South Africans in rural communities. Many of South Africa’s most popular radio stations have become available online via streaming audio.
KEY CONTACTS
Association for Communication and Advertising:
www.acasa.co.za
Independent Communications Authority
of South Africa: www.icasa.org.za
Media Institute of Southern Africa: www.misa.org
National Electronic Media Institute
of South Africa: www.nemisa.co.za
South African Broadcasting Corporation:
www.sabc.co.za
South African Press Association: www.sapa.co.za
