Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sunday newspapering in Namibia is non-existent from a local perspective, save for the South African newspapers Rapport and Sunday Times, which have become like household products over the years. Sunday reporting in Namibia ceased in the mid 1990s when the tabloid Tempo closed down. A more recent attempt in the form of the Namibia Sunday Express lasted for little more than a year between May 2002 and August 2003. Changing its content to feature business news only (and subsequently changing its name to Business Express) proved less successful as the newspaper only appeared once in October 2003. This was also its final appearance. This study looks at the phenomenon of Sunday newspapering in general; why people read such newspapers; the pitfalls associated with Sunday publications; the possible reasons for failure of Namibian Sunday newspapering; the future of Sunday newspapers in a country such as Namibia; and more particularly looks at the Namibia Sunday Express as a ease study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Namibië bestaan daar nie iets soos die Sondagpers nie, behalwe vir die Suid-Afrikaanse koerante Rapport en Sunday Times, wat so te sê huishoudelike produkte geword het. Hierdie twee koerante vind elke Sondag hul onderskeie weë na duisende Namibiese huishoudings. Sondagverslaggewing in hierdie land is in die middel-negentigerjare gestaak toe Tempo laas verskyn het. Meer onlangs, in die vorm van die Namibia Sunday Express, is weer 'n poging aangewend om 'n Sondagblad uit te gee, helaas sonder sukses. Die Namibia Sunday Express het tussen Mei 2002 en Augustus 2003 verskyn. 'n Opvolgpoging in die vorm van 'n sake-koerant, Business Express, was ook onsuksesvol - net een uitgawe is in Oktober 2003 gepubliseer. Hierdie studie is 'n bespreking van die Sondagpers in die breë; hoekom mense dié koerante lees; die verskeie slaggate wat normaalweg met Sondagkoerante geassosieer word; die moontlike redes hoekom sodanige koerante nie die mas opkom nie; die toekoms van die Sondagpers in 'n land soos Namibië; en meer spesifiek die geval Namibia Sunday Express.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The communication of the financial services group Sanlam was investigated to determine whether good communication plays a role in a company's successes. Communication in the company is fairly complex because Sanlam consists of various businesses that operate independently. Communication in Sanlam is nevertheless important, and the holding company as well as the businesses realise this. Sanlam's comprehensive communication with one of its most important target groups, namely shareholders and institutional investors, is proof of this. As Sanlam did not have shareholders until its listing in November 1998, communication with this group was not required before this date. Today it is extremely important to inform both the shareholders and analysts in detail about the company's financial results, activities and achievements to ensure success. Based on this information, analysts make deductions about the company and recommendations as to whether or not Sanlam shares are a good investment. Shareholders who have not been properly informed can therefore have a significant effect on the company's financial successes. There are a number of ways in which communication takes place with the various target groups inside and outside the company. Internal communication is regarded as important and internal newsletters, e-mail, television broadcasts and the Intranet are some of the tools used to inform staff. External communication also plays an important role. This includes, among other things, communication with shareholders and institutional investors, policyholders, the government and the general public. External communication mediums include, among other things, the main stream media as well as community press, the Sanlam Club magazine, letters, television broadcasts, the Internet, functions, corporate social involvement projects and sponsorships. As already mentioned, Sanlam consists of various businesses, of which Sanlam Personal Finance (SPF) is the largest. Communication in this business is discussed. SPF is responsible for its own internal as well as external communication and is mostly independent as far as this is concerned. SPF's means of communication and target market also differ from those of the Corporate Affairs department. From the study it is clear that Sanlam's communication plays a role in the company's successes. Although there is not always the required co-operation between the businesses and the holding company as far as communication is concerned, there is definitely the feeling that communication is important and that an effort should be made to ensure it is used to the company's advantage. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die finansiëledienstegroep, Sanlam, se kommunikasie is ondersoek om vas te stelof goeie kommunikasie 'n rol in 'n maatskappy se sukses speel. Kommunikasie in die maatskappy is taamlik kompleks aangesien Sanlam uit verskillende besighede bestaan wat onafhanklik opereer. Kommunikasie is egter belangrik en die houermaatskappy sowel as die besighede besef dit. Sanlam se uitgebreide kommunikasie met een van sy belangrikste teikengroepe, naamlik aandeelhouers en institusionele beleggers, is 'n bewys hiervan. Tot en met die notering van die maatskappy in November 1998 het Sanlam nie aandeelhouers gehad nie en was kommunikasie met dié groep dus nie nodig nie. Vandag is dit uiters belangrik om aandeelhouers en analiste baie goed oor die maatskappy se finansiële resultate, sy doen en late en prestasies in te lig om sukses te verseker. Analiste maak na aanleiding van dié inligting afleidings oor die maatskappy en doen aanbevelings aan potensiële beleggers of dit 'n goeie belegging is om in Sanlam-aandele te belê of nie. Swak ingeligte aandeelhouers en analiste kan dus 'n wesenlike invloed op die maatskappy se finansiële suksesse hê. Daar is talle manier waarop met die verskillende teikengroepe binne en buite die maatskappy gekommunikeer word. Interne kommunikasie word as belangrik beskou en interne nuusbriewe, e-pos, televisie-uitsendings en die Intranet word onder meer gebruik om personeel in te lig. Eksterne kommunikasie speelook 'n belangrike rol. Dit sluit onder meer kommunikasie met aandeelhouers en institusionele beleggers, polishouers, die owerheid en die breë publiek in. Eksterne kommunikasiemediums sluit onder meer die hoofstroommedia sowel as die gemeenskapspers, die Sanlamklub-tydskrif, briewe, televisie-uitsendings, die Internet, onthale, korporatiewe maatskaplike betrokkenheidsprojekte en borgskappe in. Sanlam bestaan uit verskillende besighede waarvan Sanlam Persoonlike Finansies (SPF) die grootste is. Kommunikasie in dié besigheid word bespreek. SPF is verantwoordelik vir sy eie interne sowel as eksterne kommunikasie en tree in 'n groot mate onafhanklik op. Hulle manier van kommunikeer en hul teikenmark verskilook van dié van die afdeling Korporatiewe Aangeleenthede. Uit die studie is dit duidelik dat Sanlam se kommunikasie 'n rol speel in die maatskappy se suksesse. Hoewel daar nie altyd die nodige samewerking tussen die besighede en die houermaatskappy bestaan wat kommunikasie betref nie, is daar beslis 'n gevoel dat kommunikasie belangrik is en dat moeite gedoen moet word om te verseker dat dit tot die maatskappy se voordeel aangewend word.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Journalism in South Africa has to be looked at in its historical context. South Africa was a country characterised by disparities. The same can be said about the media in this country. Mainstream media concentrated on the priviledged few and projected their views. On the other hand small regional community media aimed at marginalized communities provided a "voice for the voiceless." These small newspapers focused on the disadvantaged, rural and semi-literate communities. As a result of the history of this country, mainstream media neglected the marginalized communities. A need arose for redressing that imbalance and diversifying reporting. Small community newspapers were the means to achieve that. Unfortunately these newspapers fail to attract advertisers for various reasons. A large percentage of the marginalized communities were unemployed and very few could afford to buy newspapers. One copy of a newspaper was shared by between eight (8) and ten (10) people and that meant low circulation figures. The level of literacy was low and those who were literate, had to read to those who could not. The advertising industry was and is still biased and prejudiced against community media. Most small community newspapers died because of these economic factors. This brings about a need for funding of these newspapers. Are funders prepared to pump money without interfering with editorial independence of newspapers? This Assignment sets out to analyse the conflict between the necessity for diversity in reporting (accommodating the previously neglected) and journalistic independence (related to the need for funding). For the purposes of this Assignment, the focus will be on small regional community newspapers in the Eastern Cape, the Border/Kei- area in particular. The purpose of this Assignment is firstly to ascertain whether moves to diversify media/reporting are taking place - an ethical concern. Secondly to establish whether those who fund these newspapers interfere with their content. Various methods of research are used to establish the purpose of the Assignment. Research methodology in use reveals that attempts to diversify the media by focusing on marginalized communities becomes futile. The reason being that those who provide funding directly or indirectly impose their ideas on the newspapers. Small community newspaper then project the ideas of the priviledged people as result of the pressure from funding. It can be concluded that a solution that regards diversity in reporting and editorial independence as ethical principles is necessary (deontological model). That same solution would have to provide consequences that benefit the greatest number of people (utilitarian approach). Such a solution would in essence ensure the survival and sustainability of small regional newspapers and their editorial independence. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Joernalistiek in Suid-Afrika moet binne die historiese konteks beskou word. Die land was gekenmerk deur ongelykhede. Dieselfde norm geld vir die media. Die hoofstroom media wat op die kleiner, bevoorregte groep gekonsentreer het, het uiteraard slegs hul siening geprojekteer. Andersyds is die kantlyn "stom" gemeenskappe tog voorsien van 'n stem deur die klein, gemeenskapsgerigte media. Dié klein koerante het gefokus op semi-geletterde, minder bevoorregte inwoners van die landelike gebiede. Dit was juis hierdie kantlyn gemeenskappe wat om historiese redes verwaarloos was. Die behoefte het dus ontstaan vir die regstelling van die wanbalans en 'n diversifisering van verslaggewing. Kleiner gemeenskapskoerante sou ideaal geskik wees om hierdie doel te bereik. Ongelukkidg misluk hulle om verskeie redes om adverteerders te lok. Die hoë werkloosheidssyfer en gepaardgaande armoede in hiedie kantlyngemeenskappe het koerante onbekostigbaar gemaak vir die meerderheid. Een kopie is deur 8-10 mense gedeel. Dit het op sy beurt die sirkulasiesyfer laat daal. Dié wat kon lees, moes voorlees aan die meerderheid ongeletterdes. Die advertensiewese was en is steeds bevoordeeld teen die klein gemeenskapsmedia. Gevolglik kon hierdie projekte in die verlede om verskeie ekonomiese redes nie oorleef nie. Dit op sy beurt plaas die behoefte vir befondsing onder die soeklig. Die vraag ontstaan nou of sodanige befondsers die redaksionele onafhanklikheid van hierdie media sal respekteer? Hierdie tesis poog om 'n analise te maak van die konflik wat onstaan wanneer aan die een kant gepoog word om alle kantlyn groepe te betrek deur diversifisering en aan die ander kant die befondsing wat bekom moet word sonder om joernalistieke onafhanklikheid prys te gee. Vir die doel van hierdie tesis sal die fokus wees op die klein gemeenskapskoerante in die Oos-Kaap, meer spesifiek die Grens/Keigebied. Die primêre doel van die tesis is, eerstens om vas te stelof daar enige diversifisering plaasvind in die joernalistieke/media area - dit is 'n etiese kwessie. In die tweede plek moet vasgestel word of die befondsers inmeng in die inhoud van die ontvangerkoerante. Verskeie vorms van navorsing word gebruik om bogenoemde doelwite te bereik. Navorsingsmetodiek het bewys dat huidige pogings om te diversifiseer sodat kantlyngemeenskappe betrek kan word, misluk. Die rede hiervoor is dat die befondsers - direk of indirek - hul idees, wat uiteraard die bevoorregte gemeenskap weerspieël, afdwing. Die slotsom is dat enige oplossing gebaseer moet wees op beginsels/reëls wat die meerderheid sal bevoordeel. So 'n oplossing sal aanpasbaar moet wees by omstandighede. Dit moet egter ten alle tye die oorlewing en volhoubaarheid van die klein gemeenskapskoerante en hul redaksionele onafhanklikheid, waarborg.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the meaning of responsible news coverage of the HIV/Aids epidemic with references to Die Burger en The Star. Even though the numbers of HIV positive people are escalating in our country, the media still persist in addressing HIV/Aids news in exactly the same way as any other news, which means that journalists are still detached observers who simply reflect the news of the day. This study emphasizes that the limited success of HIV prevention campaigns should urge the South African society to re-evaluate our approach to addressing HIV/Aids. It is also important to convince the media of its responsibility towards more ethical practices and especially towards greater involvement in this subject. Greater involvement will necessitate the press to re-evaluating some conventional practices as detachment and objectivity. Within this context greater involvement and activism do not have to be synonyms. With greater involvement one would like to emphasize the need for the media to take a few steps closer to the realities of HIV/Aids in order to be able to have a deeper understanding of the complexities of this disease. If one would like to see a difference in the spreading and impact of HIV/Aids on the South African community it is very important that the media will be included in the efforts against HIV/Aids. The media are a powerful and influential institution, which shape the minds and ideas of the society. The majority of South Africans are dependent on the media for most of their information - including HIV/Aids information. The greater involvement and responsibility requires pro-activity of the media and could facilitate the establishment of a better informed, well empowered and involved civil society who would themselves also be prepared to take ownership of HIVand Aids in the South African community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word ondersoek ingestel na wat verantwoordelike mediadekking met betrekking tot MIVNigs sou beteken met spesifieke verwysings na enkele uitgawes van Die Burger en The Star. Onafhanklik van die groeiende epidemie in Suid-Afrika kies die meeste publikasies om MIVNigs nuusdekking steeds soos enige ander nuus te hanteer. Dit beteken dat joernaliste die oogmerk van objektiwiteit nastreef en dus as onbetrokke waarnemers die gebeure van die dag aan die publiek weergee. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die omvang van die MIVNigs krisis en die beperkte sukses van voorkomingsinisiatiewe in Suid-Afrika wat gevolglik ook die media noodsaak om konvensionele joernalistiek praktyke in heroënskou te neem. Indien 'n mens 'n verandering in die verspreiding en impak van MIVNigs op die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing wil sien, is dit veral nodig om ook die media in die stryd teen MIVNigs te betrek. Die media is 'n invloedryke instelling en die grootste deel van die publiek se inligting - ook oor MIVNigs - word op die inhoud van dagblaaie gebaseer. Dit beklemtoon die verantwoordelikheid wat op die media rus om verantwoordelike en etiese nuusdekking aan die kwessie te gee. Vir die media om optimaal tot die stryd teen MIVNigs by te dra, is dit egter nodig dat die media self betrokke raak en proaktiewe nuusdekking sal nastreef. Met 'n meer betrokke media word nie noodwendig aktivisme bedoel nie, maar dit vra eerder dat die media 'n paar tree nader aan MIVNigs sal gee sodat die epidemie in sy totaliteit beter verstaan kan word. Met so 'n benadering kan die media bydrae tot die vestiging van 'n ingeligte, bemagtige en betrokke gemeenskap wat self ook eienaarskap van MIVNigs begin neem.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines the development of film criticism in Cape Town's daily press from 1928 to 1930, using film reviews from the newspapers the Cape Times and Die Burger as sources. The study starts with an overview of studies concerning early South African film history, and characterizes it as a rather underdeveloped field of study. The character of film criticism in the period under discussion is explained by using a description of the general function of film criticism as a basis and taking film criticism in the Weimar Republic of Germany as an example for the following comparison. The basis for the comparative analysis is a list of films screened in three selected cinemas in Cape Town from 1928 to 1930. Part of the analysis is an empirical study to examine the quantitative development of film reviews in the period under discussion. Length ranges with which to characterize film reviews are defined and the preferred average lengths of reviews for both newspapers as well as for films screened at the particular cinemas are listed. The qualitative part of the study is a content analysis of two selected groups of films: 1. films which received average-size reviews and 2. films which ran longer than average and received above-average size reviews. The survey reveals that the Cape Times followed a "quantitative strategy", reviewing all films screened and that Die Burger had a "qualitative The reviews strategy", in both reviewing specially selected films only. newspapers can be characterized as functionalistic. The Cape Times displayed their business orientation by publishing mostly advertisement-like reviews; Die Burger's political orientation was reflected in comments about the language in sound films, including film and cinema into the language struggle. The study demonstrates that newspapers are a valuable source for research concerning early South African film history. The existing standard reference, Thelma Gutsche's The History and Social ,Significance of Motion Pictures in South Africa 1895-1940 can be fruitfully complemented by using Afrikaans newspapers, as well as the writings of the Afrikaner film critic Hans Rompel. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die ontwikkeling van rolprentresensies in die pers van Kaapstad in die jare 1928 tot 1930 en gebruik daarvoor resensies van die nuuskoerante Cape Times en Die Burger. Die ondersoek begin met 'n oorsig van die vroeë Suid Afrikaanse rolprentgeskiedenis. Die karakter van rolprentresensie in die gegewe periode word verduidelik deur 'n beskrywing van die algemene funksie om rolprentresensie as "n basis te gebruik en rolprentresensies in die Duitse Weimar Republiek as 'n voorbeeld vir die opvolgende vergelyking te neem. Die basis vir die vergelykende analise is 'n lys van rolprente wat in drie geselekteerde bioskope in Kaapstad gedurende die periode van 1928 tot 1930 gewys is. 'n Gedeelte van die analise behels 'n empiriese studie om die kwantitatiewe ontwikkeling van rolprentrensensies gedurende die gegewe periode te ondersoek. Lengte reekse word gedefinieer om die resensies te karakteriseer, en die verkose gemiddelde lengtes van resensies word gelys vir beide nuuskoerante as ook vir films wat by die geselekeerde cinemas gewys is. Die kwalitatiewe gedeelte van die studie is 'n inhoudanalise van twee geselekteerde groepe van rolprente: 1. rolprente wat resensies van gemiddelde lengte ontvang het en 2. rolprente wat langer as gemiddeld gewys is en resensies van bo-gemiddelde lengte ontvang het. Die ondersoek wys uit dat die Cape Times 'n "kwantitatiewe strategie" gevolg het deur alle rolprente te resenseer, terwyl die Die Burger 'n "kwalitatiewe strategie" gevolg het deur net gekeurde rolprente te resenseer. Die resensies in albei nuuskoerante kan as funkionalisties beskryf word. Die Cape Times lig sy besigheidsgeorienteerde houding uit, deur grotendeels advertensie-gelyke resensies te skryf; Die Burger demonstreer sy politiese orientering deur kommentaar oor die taalgebruik in klankrolprente te lewer en sluit so rolprente en bioskope in die taalstryd in. Die studie demonstreer dat koerante 'n waardevolle inligtingsbron vir navorsing oor die vroeë Suid Afrikaanse rolprentgeskiedenis lewer. Die bestaande standaardverwysing, Thelma Gutsche se The History and Social Significance of Motion Pictures in South Africa 1895-1940 kan suksesvol gekomplimenteer word deur gebruik te maak van Afrikaanse koerante, as ook van die tekste van die Afrikaanse filmkritikus, Hans Rompel.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this analytical study was to establish whether the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) operates as a true public broadcaster or as a state-controlled broadcaster. The performance of the ZBC was analysed through its main 8.00 pm television news bulletins broadcast during the period between the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) by the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front, ZANU (PF) and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) political parties in September 2008 and the establishment of the inclusive Government of National Unity (GNU) in February 2009. The study was undertaken from within the paradigms of the Social Responsibility Theory as this was deemed the most applicable in terms of the research subject. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied as part of a process of triangulation. The qualitative research method, as the main methodological approach, was applied to solicit views and opinions of participants by use of questionnaires designed to interview specific interviewees, namely the ZBC journalists and spokespersons for the various political parties now in the GNU. The journalists explained how they gathered and packaged news bulletins having to endure some government interference on a regular basis. The MDCs' spokespersons outlined how the ZBC denied them broadcast time for their rallies, press statements and participation in live debates. ZANU (PF) was of the view that the MDC parties only wanted to blame the previous ZANU (PF) government through “unsubstantiated” remarks about bias and the breakdown of the rule of law and absence of democracy and freedom of expression in the country. This, according to ZANU (PF), they did in order to please their alleged Western financiers like Britain and the United States who imposed targeted sanctions on the country. Through the analysis of political parties' accessibility to the main television news bulletins, the research confirmed the assumption that the ZBC is still biased in favour of the former sole ruling ZANU (PF) party which is also in charge of the information ministry in the GNU. The study concluded that since the ZBC, as a public-funded institution, was clearly not accessible to different political parties and civic society groups in order for them to participate in a crucial nation-building process, it failed to fulfil its expected mandate as a public broadcaster. By also negating a social responsibility role that calls for high professional conduct, fairness and objectivity expected of public broadcasters, this study showed that the ZBC was still a state-controlled broadcaster that needs to be reformed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie analitiese studie was om vas te stel of die Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) as 'n ware openbare uitsaaier of as 'n staatsbeheerde uitsaaier funksioneer. Die werkverrigting van die ZBC is geanaliseer deur die 8 nm-TV-bulletin gedurende die periode tussen die ondertekening van die Global Political Agreement (GPA), deur die Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, ZANU (PF) en die twee Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) politieke partye in September 2008 en die totstandkoming van die inklusiewe Government of National Unity (GNU) in Februarie 2009 te bestudeer. Beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is toegepas deur dit met die proses van triangulering te kombineer. Die kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetode, wat die hoof-metodologiese benadering is, is aangewend om perspektiewe en opinies van deelnemers te verkry, deur gebruik te maak van vraelyste wat ontwerp is vir spesifieke deelnemers, naamlik die ZBC joernaliste en woordvoerders van die verskillende politieke partye, tans in die GNU. Die joernaliste verduidelik hoe hulle met die inwin van nuus en samestelling van nuusbulletins inmenging van die staat op 'n gereelde basis moes verduur. Woordvoerders van die MDC het in breë trekke uiteengesit hoe die ZBC hul uitsaaityd geweier het vir hul byeenkomste, persverklarings en deelname aan regstreekse debatte. Die ZANU (PF)-deelnemers is van mening dat die MDC- partye net die vorige regering wou blameer deur "ongesubstansieerde‟ opmerkings te maak oor vooroordeel en die ontbinding van die oppergesag van die gereg, die afwesigheid van demokrasie en vryheid van spraak in die land. Dit sou hulle doen om hul beweerde Westerse finansiers, soos Brittanje en die Verenigde State, wat geteikende sanksies op die partyleierskap opgelê het, insluitende president Robert Mugabe, tevrede te stel. 'n Analise van die politieke partye se toegang tot die hooftelevisie-nuusbulletins bevestig die hipotese dat die ZBC steeds die vorige enkel regerende ZANU (PF)-party wat in beheer van die inligtingsministerie in die GNU is, bevoordeel. Die slotsom is dat, aangesien die ZBC, 'n openbaar-gefinansierde instansie, ontoeganklik vir verskillende politieke partye en burgerlike gemeenskapsgroepe is, hulle van deelname aan 'n belangrike nasiebouproses uitgesluit is. Daarmee faal die ZBC in sy veronderstelde mandaat van 'n ware openbare uitsaaier, asook sy sosiale verantwoordelikheidsrol, wat hoë professionele gedrag, regverdigheid en objektiwiteit van openbare uitsaaiers vereis. Die studie bewys die ZBC is steeds 'n staatsbeheerde uitsaaier wat hervorm moet word.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Across the globe scientists are taking issue with pseudoscience, as well as the role of the media in promoting it. Articles based on pseudoscience, especially those relating to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) that fall outside the realms of orthodox medicine, are common in all forms of media, but especially in women’s health and lifestyle magazines. Scientists are quite vociferous in their condemnation of CAM for both ethical and safety reasons, since neither the therapies nor the remedies associated with CAM practices have been proven to be efficacious, or even safe. In fact, some of the therapies and advice offered by CAM practitioners are dangerous and, in some instances, may even be life threatening. Nevertheless, the media continue to promote CAM, and the public continues to support it – despite the warnings and denunciation by scientists. This is an exploratory study to determine the prevalence of pseudoscience, generally, in South African women’s health and lifestyle magazines, and to uncover the reasons the public supports it. The magazine Longevity is used as an example of this type of publication, and a content analysis is used to illustrate the prevalence of pseudoscience articles and adverts in South African media, while field research, in the form of personal interviews, attempts to determine the reasons people support CAM in spite of its denunciation, as well as the media’s role in fostering this support. Both mainstream science and pseudoscience are described, while a literature review reveals the scientific perspective of CAM, provides examples of the more popular forms of CAM and the dangers inherent in them, as well as the ways in which science and pseudoscience in general, are handled by the media. Using the hypodermic needle theory, plus the results of the content analysis and field research, this study shows that media promote pseudoscience because it pays; the public support CAM because they believe it works; and that that belief is primarily the result of public disillusionment with the practice of orthodox medicine, rather than the result of media’s promotion of CAM, as scientists contend. / AFRIKKANSE OPSOMMING: Wetenskaplikes van regoor die wêreld het ’n probleem met pseudowetenskap, sowel as die rol wat die media speel om dit bevorder. Artikels gebaseer op pseudowetenskap, veral dié met betrekking tot Aanvullende en Alternatiewe Medisyne (AAM), wat buite die grense van ortodokse medisyne val, is algemeen in alle vorme van media, maar veral in gesondheid-en lewenstyltydskrifte vir vroue. Wetenskaplikes is baie uitgesproke in hul veroordeling van AAM om beide etiese en veiligheidsredes, omdat nóg die terapie nóg die middels wat verband hou met AAM praktyke bewys is om doeltreffend, of selfs veilig te wees. Trouens, sommige van die terapieë en advies wat aangebied word deur AAM beoefenaars is gevaarlik, en in sommige gevalle selfs lewensgevaarlik. Tog hou die media aan om AAM te bevorder, en die publiek om dit te ondersteun – ten spyte van die waarskuwings en veroordeling deur wetenskaplikes. Hierdie narvorsing is ’n verkennende studie om die voorkoms van pseudowetenskap in Suid-Afrikaanse vroue se gesondheid- en lewenstyltydskrifte te bepaal, en die redes te ontbloot waarom die publiek dit ondersteun. Die tydskrif Longevity word gebruik as ’n voorbeeld van hierdie tipe publikasie, en ’n inhoudsanalise word gebruik om die voorkoms van pseudowetenskaplike artikels en advertensies in die Suid-Afrikaanse media te illustreer, terwyl navorsing in die veld, in die vorm van persoonlike onderhoude, poog om die redes te bepaal waarom mense AAM ondersteun, ten spyte van veroordeling, sowel as die rol wat die media speel in die bevordering van hierdie ondersteuning. Beide hoofstroom wetenskap en pseudowetenskap word beskryf, terwyl ’n literatuuroorsig die wetenskaplike perspektief van AAM ontbloot, voorbeelde van die meer populêre vorme van AAM word verskaf asook van die gevare daaraan verbonde, sowel as die maniere waarop wetenskap en pseudowetenskap in die algemeen, hanteer word deur die media. Met behulp van die spuitnaald teorie, plus die resultate van die inhoudsanalise en navorsing in die veld, bewys hierdie studie dat die media pseudowetenskap bevorder, want dit betaal; die publiek ondersteun AAM omdat hulle glo dit werk; en dat daardie geloof primêr die gevolg is van openbare ontnugtering met die beoefening van ortodokse medisyne, eerder as die gevolg van die media se bevordering van AAM, soos wetenskaplikes beweer.

Thesis (PhD )--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the political role of the City Press. black journalists in post-apartheid South Africa. Taking into consideration its ownership by a white media company, the study investigated the role played by African cultural values in the execution of their tasks with a particular focus on the period 1994 to 2004. The interest in the role played by African cultural values in the execution of the City Press. black journalists. tasks, and in the issue of the newspaper.s white ownership, was driven by an observation that historically, the trajectory of black newspapers was to a great extent influenced by the interests and values of the owners. The issue of ownership was of interest also because the black political elite frequently accused black journalists in South Africa of undermining the ANC government so as to please the white owners of the newspapers they worked for. Also, taking into consideration that the City Press played a conscious role in the struggle against apartheid, the study sought to investigate the role the City Press defined for its journalists in post-apartheid South Africa, specifically in the first decade after 1994. Three theoretical frameworks were deemed applicable in this study, namely Liberal- Pluralism, Political Economy, and Afrocentric theories on the media.s political role in society. The first was chosen on the basis of its theorisation on the political role of the media. The second was chosen on the basis of its analysis of the link between the performance of the media and ownership, although that is not the only issue Political Economy deals with. The third was chosen on the basis of its focus on African historical and cultural issues. The study has employed qualitative research methods, namely content analysis and interviews. It has a quantitative aspect in that it involved the counting of the City Press. editorials, columns and opinion pieces, as an indication of how many journalistic pieces were analysed. The period of this study ends in 2004 in the year that the City Press was re-launched as a ¡°Distinctly African¡± newspaper. The ¡°Distinctly African¡± concept had both cultural and political implications for the City Press. journalists. This study covers some of these aspects in a limited way since the research period ends in the year 2004. The research found that in post-apartheid South Africa, the City Press. black journalists. political role was to make sure that the objectives of the anti-apartheid struggle were achieved. It also established that the City Press. black journalists executed their tasks independently without interference from their newspaper.s white owners. The study also established that some of the newspaper.s black journalists experienced tensions between what they perceived as expectations of journalism and what they perceived as the prescriptions of African culture. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die volgende ondersoek: die politieke rol van die City Press se swart joernaliste in post-apartheid Suid-Afrika, die rol van Afrika-kulturele waardes in die uitvoering van hul taak met 'n spesifieke fokus op die periode 1994 tot 2004, en die konteks van die koerant as eiendom van 'n tradisionele wit media maatskappy. Die belangstelling in die rol van Afrika-kulturele waardes in die uitvoering van die taak van die City Press se swart joernaliste en die kwessie van die koerant se wit eienaarskap is gedryf deur die waarneming dat, histories, swart koerante grotendeels beïnvloed is deur die belange en waardes van die eienaars. Die kwessie van eienaarskap was ook van belang omdat die politieke elite gereeld swart joernaliste beskuldig het dat hulle die ANC-regering ondermyn om sodoende die wit eienaars van die publikasies vir wie hulle werk, tevrede te stel. In ag geneem die feit dat die City Press 'n bewustelike rol in die struggle teen apartheid gespeel het, het die studie ook die rol ondersoek wat die City Press vir sy joernaliste in post-apartheid Suid-Afrika gedefinieer het, spesifiek in die eerste dekade ná 1994. Drie teoretiese raamwerke is beskou as van belang vir hierdie studie, naamlik die Liberale- Pluralisme, die Politieke Ekonomie en Afrosentriese teorieë oor die media se politieke rol in die samelewing. Die studie het twee kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologieë gebruik, by name inhoudsanalise en onderhoude. Daar was 'n kwantitatiewe aspek deurdat die City Press se hoofartikels, rubrieke en meningstukke getel is as 'n aanduiding van hoeveel stukke geanaliseer is. Die navorsing het bevind dat die City Press se swart joernaliste hul politieke rol in post-apartheid Suid-Afrika gesien het as om onder meer seker te maak dat die doelwitte van die vryheidstryd bereik word. Die studie het ook vasgestel dat die City Press se swart joernaliste hul taak onafhanklik en sonder inmenging van die koerant se wit eienaars kon doen. Ook is bevind dat sommige van die koerant se swart joernaliste spanning ervaar tussen eise van die joernalistiek en wat hulle beskou as voorskriftelikheid van Afrika-kulturele waardes. Die tydperk van die studie eindig in 2004, die jaar waarin die City Press geloods is as 'n "Distinctly African"-koerant. Die "Distinctly African"-konsep het beide kulturele en politieke implikasies vir die City Press se joernaliste. Hierdie studie dek sommige van hierdie aspekte in 'n beperkte mate aangesien die navorsingstydperk in 2004 eindig. Dit word voorgestel dat meer navorsing gedoen word met spesifieke verwysing na die tydperk tussen 2004 en 2009, die volgende vyf jaar van demokrasie in Suid-Afrika. In die politieke diskoers verwys die swart politieke elite gereeld na Afrika-kultuur. Dit is nog 'n aspek wat toekomstige studies kan ondersoek, naamlik die verhouding tussen joernalistieke waardes en praktyke aan die een kant, en Afrika-kultuur aan die ander. / Stellenbosch University / Awqaf Foundation

Thesis (PhD) --Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The rapidly growing presence of old and new media in postcolonial Namibia, particularly from the decade after the turn of the Millennium, has significance for cultural and identity transformations in the country. Formerly entrenched social identities, shaped by restrictive colonialism and indigenous traditions, appear to be under pressure as shifts become apparent in the face of globalisation. This thesis examines the characteristics of change from the perspective of young adults’ mediated experiences in the city of Windhoek. The research constitutes a cultural study that addresses the current knowledge gap regarding how growing local and global media presences are increasingly situated in youth identity and cultural lifestyle spaces. Degrees of reflexive response to mediated information and entertainment are examined in an attempt to understand awareness of and reaction to local and global power narratives situated in actors’ relationships with media. It was found that participants responded positively to the novelty and opportunities that global media offered for identity and lifestyle negotiations, while also revealing ontological anxieties about erosion of ‘traditional’ culture, and concern about absence of recognition and representation of the ‘local’ in global media productions. This led to the research conceptually establishing three participant orientations to media: cultural expropriationist, cultural traditionalist and cultural representationalist. The study concluded that while media seemed to be instrumental in identity and cultural change, social tension over matters of culture appeared to be emerging. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die snelgroeiende teeenwoordigheid van ou en nuwe media in postkoloniale Namibië, veral sedert die dekade ná die millenniumwending, is beduidend vir kulturele en identiteitsverskuiwings in dié land. Voorheen verskanste sosiale identiteite, gevorm deur die beperkinge van kolonialisme en inheemse tradisies, skyn onder druk te wees soos verskuiwings duidelik begin te word in die lig van globalisering. Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek die eienskappe van hierdie veranderinge vanuit die perspektief van jong volwassenes se gemedieerde ondervindinge in die stad Windhoek. Hierdie navorsing behels ’n kulturele studie wat bydra tot die begrip van plaaslike en globale media-teenwoordigheid as toenemend gesitueer op die terrein van jeugidentiteit en kulturele lewenstyle. Daar word ondersoek ingestel na verskillende grade van refleksiewe reaksies op gemedieerde inligting en vermaak, in ’n poging om te verstaan hoe bewustheid van en reaksie op plaaslike en globale magsnarratiewe gesitueer is in rolspelers se verhoudings met media. Daar is bevind dat respondente positief gereageer het op die nuwighede en geleenthede wat globale media bied vir identiteits- en leefstylonderhandelinge, terwyl ontologiese onsekerhede oor die ondermyning van ‘tradisionele’ kultuur, en kommer oor die afwesigheid van erkenning en representasie van die ‘plaaslike’ in globale mediaproduksies, ook aan die lig gekom het. Hierdie bevinding het gelei daartoe dat die navorsing drie oriëntasies onder deelnemers vasgestel het: kultureel-onteienend, kultureel-tradisioneel, en kultureel-verteenwoordigend. Die studie het tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat, terwyl die media instrumenteel in identiteits- en kultuurverandering blyk te wees, dit tegelykertyd sosiale spanning oor kulturele aangeleenthede aanwakker.

Thesis (MPhil (Journalism))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / With the advent of new communication technologies, traditional journalism has continually had to adjust to new contexts. In 2006, the Western Cape daily newspaper Die Burger established a blogging section as part of its website. Presently j-bloggers (journalists who are bloggers) still work according to Die Burger’s current ethical code of conduct. Yet the establishment of j-blogs at Die Burger has raised a number of questions regarding the ethical conduct of journalists in this medium. This study attempts to show that the mainstream ethical concepts of accuracy, fairness and the use of anonymous sources may be interpreted differently in the medium of blogging and explores the feasibility of a code of conduct for j-bloggers at Die Burger. Die Burger’s code of conduct is compared with various bloggers’ codes of conduct. The study argues that Die Burger’s code of conduct offers more comprehensive guidelines for journalists than most bloggers’ codes. These guidelines include protecting the newspaper’s reading public from harm. However, it was also found that the different interpretations of ethical concepts on blogs need to be considered in a code of conduct for j-bloggers. In this study, the composition of a code of conduct for j-bloggers was discussed with j-bloggers, print journalists and several other stakeholders at Die Burger. The participants in this study argued that a code of conduct for j-bloggers may be feasible but that it should operate in addition to Die Burger’s current code of conduct. Furthermore, this study argues two normative theories of the press – the social responsibility and democratic-participant theories – intersect in a discussion of ethical codes for j-bloggers. Using this theoretical framework, the study aims to describe specific guidelines for the ethical conduct of j-bloggers at Die Burger.