A research report submitted to the faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science by combination of coursework and research. Johannesburg, 2016. / The aims of the study were to provide an overview of how online newspapers portray astronomy news in terms of framing and tone. The “tone” is used as a way to analyse and reflect on the mood of the article, whether the journalist reports about positive or negative news. The study sought to understand what aspects of astronomy news are covered by South African online newspapers because using real world examples and stories as a way of learning has a magnetic attractiveness to the majority of students. This is one of the reasons why a newspaper is the perfect teaching and learning tool because it is regarded as a medium that can heighten students’ knowledge, enhance students’ vocabulary skills, conceptual understanding and encourage a positive attitude towards learning. The study was underpinned by framing theory which suggests that presentation can influence the choices people make; it is a procedure where people improve a specific conceptualisation and change their perception about it. A mixed method was used since it combines both qualitative methods and quantitative methods to deal with different questions of the research study. A data collecting instrument was not required to conduct the study because the data was already available on the internet, however, the researcher developed and modified an instrument to analyse the available data. The Nisbet framework and a modified story analysis form were used as coding instruments. Newspapers articles were retrieved from the internet using search terms such as “SKA, astronomy, planets”. The samples were two online newspapers, the Mail & Guardian and News24 from 1st January 2012 to 31st July 2015. The quantitative results were divided into two, firstly for the Mail & Guardian and secondly for News24. Items that were analysed for each online newspaper were: news origin, news treatment, geographical focus, photos and graphics, framing techniques, the Nisbet framework, word average, and general reaction. The Mail & Guardian has longer news article lengths than News24. This might suggest that New24’s news articles are better to use since they are shorter and the aim of using newspapers is to make teaching and learning science fun and productive. The qualitative results indicated that astronomy articles in newspapers are flooded with scientific terms that are not explained. Teachers need to assess and make students think about the content from the newspaper story and to recognise that stories in the newspaper are written differently from school textbooks. The research study indicated that newspapers can be used and are useful in science class if they are used correctly and, at the same time, textbooks and other teaching materials are also used. The use of newspaper when teaching science is undoubtedly one of the effective ways of teaching science whether in an informal or formal learning context. Using newspapers increases students’ knowledge and improves students’ vocabulary skills to enhance conceptual understanding. Key words Astronomy, Mail & Guardian, News24, Story Analysis Form, Nisbet Framework, Informal Learning, formal learning and Science. / LG2017

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 255-272.

The following study takes a look at the tension between market and community, and investigates the Eastern Cape as a case study. The main objective of the study was to determine what phenomenon is causing the rapid expansion of the community newspaper market. After a brief introduction the first section of chapter one goes about explaining South African newspapers. This was an important process because it helps the reader to understand the South African market. This market had a unique development, the study examines this, and goes on to show the three different spheres of the South African press and takes a look at the major publishers. Section two places the South African media market in context by looking at where newspapers fit into capitalist free market society. This section first develops the notion of democracy and its close relationship to capitalism. This is followed by a look at newspapers as commercial products, and also takes a look at a section of the South African population that is relatively easy for advertisers and marketers to target. This section finally offers a solution to combat the above inadequacies in society. Section three looks at the all important rise of more recent forms of media and the effects they have had on the press. This section first looks at how newspapers have been able to adapt and survive and secondly looks to their future survival in what is becoming a digital age. Chapter two begins by developing the notion of community. It establishes that while the world was heading in the direction of a global community, there has now been a recent trend for people to revert back to local community life in order to combat the inequalities of the global community. The second section of chapter two goes on to give an in-depth description of what community newspapers entail. Chapter three forms the first section of the second half of the study. It deals with Johnnic Communications (Johncom) and takes a look at the company by looking at their history and structures as well as results. It goes on to determine Johncom’s role in the South African media market, which includes publishing interests, BEE credentials, strategic positioning and the establishing of Johncom Community Newspapers (JCN). The final chapter looks at JCN and community newspapers in the Eastern Cape. The first section of this chapter looks at how JCN developed their titles as well as the success these titles have brought. The second section takes an overview look at all the titles in an attempt to find a common denominator that can be attributed to their success. This common denominator is determined to be disposable income. The third section looks at what makes disposable income one of the key factors in the success of community newspapers and uses the appendix interview to support its findings. The final section of this chapter and the entire study looks towards the future. It is a speculation into the future of both community newspapers and Johncom’s projected community newspaper expansion. It looks at other markets in South Africa, but once these become saturated it is expected that a massive African expansion will follow.

Thesis (M. Tech. degree in Journalism) -- Tshwane University of Technology 2009. / Provides a better understanding of the factors contributing to the overall success of the newspaper. A revised version of Machado's marketing mix model was used. The results showed how the elements of the marketing mix model had been successfully implemented.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 1999. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The general decline in newspaper circulation indicates that the newspaper industry is under threat from other media such as television and radio (Swift, 1995: 1 00). However, closer inspection of individual newspaper titles reveals that highly targeted newspapers like Sowetan, Business Day, Beeld, etc. manage to maintain or increase circulation (Audit Bureau of Circulation, 1986-1998). On the other hand, newspapers that caters for disparate market segments, experienced circulation declines between 1986 and 1998 (Audit Bureau of Circulation, 1986-1998). Newspaper's share of total advertising revenue is also in decline (Adindex, 1986-1998). However, advertising revenue for the newspaper industry as a whole increased in line with total advertising revenue between 1986 and 1998. Although newspapers enjoy a smaller piece of the total advertising pie, the steady growth in revenue indicates substantial support and confidence from the advertising market for newspapers as a whole. Swift (Marketing Mix, 1995: 100) argues that newspapers must change their way of doing "news" in order to compete effectively against television, radio, the illtemet and other forms of popular media. "If newspapers are to survive, they must either become niche products by providing in-depth coverage and interpretation of specialists aspects of human endeavour or emulate the British tabloids and peddle entertainment for all they're worth" (Swift, 1995: 101). The latter aspect of Swift's assertion is the basis of the attached study. The study project examines the South African newspaper market in general and the greater Gauteng newspaper market specifically in the form of a business plan, with the aim of finding a viable niche for a daily, English-medium tabloid newspaper. The African Sun Business Plan concludes that the market for such a newspaper does exists amongst working class South Africans in and around selected urban centres. The plan examines the target market and the economics ofthe newspaper business. The marketing plan examines the best options to reach the target market. The product development plan and the operations plan describe the product and the operations ofthe proposed business and the financial plan examines the feasibility ofthe venture. The data suggests that national circulation and advertising trends favour newspapers that are highly targeted and driven by the information needs of their selected target markets (Audit Bureau of Circulation, 1986-1998, Adindex, 1986-1998). The business plan concludes that there is a lucrative market in South Africa for a daily, English-medium, mass circulation tabloid newspaper. The plan also proposes an operating structure including the financing requirements of the business, required staff, location product specifications and a market entry strategy. "It's time to emulate the Sun and the Mirror (of England) because if the liberal consensus is correct and all men are equal, why shouldn't the British tabloid approach work for our whinging masses as effectively as it does for the whining Poms?" (Swift, 1995: 102). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: OPSOMMING Die algemene afname in koerantsirkulasies dui daarop dat die koerantbedryf deur ander media soos televisie en radio bedreig word (Swift, 1995: 100). By nadere ondersoek van individuele koeranttitels het dit egter aan die lig gekom dat hoeteikenkoerante soos Sowetan, Business Day, Beeld, ensovoorts, daarin slaag om sirkulasie te behou en selfs te verbeter (Audit Bureau of Circulation, 1986-1998). In teenstelling het koerante wat vir ongelyksoortige marksegmente voorsiening maak 'n sirkulasie afname ondervind tussen 1986 en 1998 (Audit Bureau of Circulation, 1986-1998). Koerante se aandeel in die totale reklame-inkomste is ook besig om te daal (Adindex, 1986- 1998). Die reklame-inkomste vir die koerantbedryf in sy geheel het egter op een lyn met die totale reklame-inkomste toegeneem tussen 1986 en 1998 (Adindex, 1986-1998). Alhoewel koerante 'n kleiner deel van die totale reklamebesteding geniet as voorheen, dui die geleidelike toename in koerant reklame inkomste groei, aansienlike ondersteuning en vertroue deur die reklamemark in koerante oor die algemeen. Swift (Marketing Mix, 1995: 100) voer aan dat koerante hulle metode van "nuusaanbieding" moet verander ten einde doeltreffend teen televisie, radio, die Internet en ander vorme van populere media te kompeteer. "If newspapers are to survive, they must either become niche products by providing in-depth coverage and interpretation of specialists aspects of human endeavour or emulate the British tabloids and peddle entertainment for all they're worth" (Swift, 1995: 101). Laasgenoemde aspek van Swift se bewering vorm die grondslag van die megaande studie. Die African Sun Business Plan stel voor dat 'n daaglikse, kompakte, Engelsmediumkoerant van stapel gestuur word wat op Suid-Afrikaners in die werkersklas in en om aangewese stedelike sentra gerig is. In navolging van Swift se redenasie ondersoek die meegaande sakeplan die koerantbedryf in sy geheel en die groter Gauteng mark in besonder. Die plan ondersoek besonderhede van die teikenmark en die ekonomie van die koerantbedryf. 'n Volledige bemarkingsplan ondersoek die beste opsies waardeur die teikenmark bereik kan word. Die produkontwikke1ingsplan en die bedryfsplan beskryf die produk en die werksaamhede van die voorgestelde sake-ondememing, en die finansiele plan ondersoek die uitvoerbaarheid van die ondememing. Die data suggereer dat nasionale koerant sirkulasie en reklame-tendense meer gunstig teenoor koerante wat markgerig is en gedryf word deur die inligtingsbehoeftes van geselekteerde teikenmarkte (Audit Bureau of Circulation, 1986-1998). Die sakeplan kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat daar 'n winsgewende mark in Suid-Afrika bestaan vir In daaglikse, Engels-medium, massasirkulasie kompakte koerant. Die plan stel ook 'n bedryf struktuur voor, met inbegrip van die finansieringsvereistes, personeelbehoeftes, ligging, produkspesifikasies en 'n marktoetrede strategie. "It's time to emulate the Sun and the Mirror (of England) because if the liberal consensus is correct and all men are equal, why shouldn't the British tabloid approach work for our whinging masses as effectively as it does for the whining Poms?" (Swift, 1995: 102).

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is primarily an examination of the effect of multilingualism on Afrikaans newspapers, with specific reference to Die Burger (Western Cape). The study also looks at the origin and development of South Africa's multilingual dispensation, the effect of this on South Africa's press history, the newspaper market in South Africa, how newspapers position themselves in this multilingual market, an outline of Die Burger's potential and real market in the Western Cape, how Die Burger positions itself in this market, the challenges and effect of multilingualism on Die Burger's market, ways in which Die Burger handles this impact, and possible shortcomings in the handling thereof. The study further examines the effect of multilingualism on the financial and operating management of newspapers, strategies for survival in a multilingual market, the possible shortcomings of these strategies, and suggests possible solutions for these shortcomings. Through electronic media such as television, radio and the internet more and more Afrikaans speaking people are exposed to English and it is likely and possible that growing numbers of Afrikaans speaking people are able to communicate fluently in English. The possible effect of this may be that Afrikaans speaking people, Die Burger's primary market, can, with growing ease, support Die Burger's direct competition, namely English dailies. Die Burger can therefore no longer depend on language loyalty, but have to compete on level footing with English newspapers for Afrikaans readers. Because of the uniqueness of the Die Burger's market there is no generic model for survival strategies in this market. Thus this study also examines influences on the Afrikaans market such as globalisation, anglicization and the impact of the electronic media on language preference and ability. The study also examines the specific challenges for Die Burger, especially in terms of not losing it's current readers, and secondly to survive in a market increasingly under pressure from multilingualism. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is primêr 'n ondersoek na die invloed wat veeltaligheid het op Afrikaanse koerante, met spesifieke verwysing na Die Burger (Wes-Kaap). Daar word ook 'n ondersoek gedoen na die oorsprong en ontwikkeling van Suid- Afrika se veeltalige bestel, die invloed van veeltaligheid op Suid-Afrika se persgeskiedenis, die koerantmark in Suid-Afrika, hoe koerante hulle in dié veeltalige mark posisioneer, 'n beskrywing van Die Burger se potensiële en werklike mark in die Wes-Kaap, hoe Die Burger hom in dié mark posisioneer, die uitdagings en invloed van veeltaligheid op Die Burger se mark, die maniere waarop Die Burger dié impak hanteer, en moontlike leemtes in die hantering daarvan. Die studie ondersoek verder die finansiële en bedryfsimpak van 'n veeltalige samelewing op koerante, strategieë vir oorlewing in 'n veeltalige mark, moontlike leemtes in dié strategieë, en doen moontlike oplossings aan die hand. Weens die elektroniese media soos televisie, radio en die internet word al meer Afrikaanssprekendes aan veral Engels blootgestel en is dit waarskynlik en moontlik dat al meer Afrikaanssprekendes ook gemaklik in veral Engels kan kommunikeer. Dit kan tot gevolg hê dat Afrikaanssprekendes, en dus Die Burger se primêre teikenmark, met toenemende gemak ook Die Burger se direkte kompetisie, naamlik Engelse dagblaaie, kan begin ondersteun. Die Burger sal dus nie meer kan staatmaak op taallojaliteit nie, maar moet op gelyke voet met Engelse koerante meeding vir Afrikaanssprekende lesers. Weens die uniekheid van die mark waarin Die Burger hom bevind, bestaan geen generiese model wat strategieë vir oorlewing binne dié mark uitstippel nie. Dus word in die studie 'n ondersoek gedoen na die invloede op die Afrikaanse mark soos byvoorbeeld globalisering, gepaardgaande verengelsing, en die invloed van die elektroniese media op die mark se taalvoorkeur en -vaardigheid. Die studie behels ook 'n ondersoek na die spesifieke uitdagings vir Die Burger, veral in terme daarvan om eerstens sy huidige lesers te behou, en tweedens om te oorleef in 'n mark wat toenemend die invloed voel van veeltaligheid.

Tabloid journalism has and continues to spark controversy. Scholarly considerations of tabloid journalism often question its contribution to democratic causes. However, little academic attention has been given to the question of how tabloids are understood and evaluated by their audiences. This study considered a range of audience responses to the Daily Sun by analysing the way some of its readers understand and evaluate it. The study examined the appeal of this popular tabloid to some Grahamstown readers. Reception analysis was employed to determine why these people read the Daily Sun. In particular, the active audience theory was used as a framework to conduct the research. To achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative research methods such as focus group interviews and individual in-depth interviews were employed. Looking at the findings, many of the respondents acknowledged they read the tabloid for interpersonal communication, diversion and entertainment. The results also revealed that their lived context plays a major role in their reading of stories. In a wider context, the research contributes to an understanding of the popularity of tabloid newspapers.

Afrikaans text / In die perswese van Suid-Afrika het Die Burger gedurende die dertiger- en veertigerjare ’n besondere plek beklee. A1 was dit nie ’n koerant met reusesirkulasiesyfers nie, is dit gerespekteer omdat dit onder meer ’n besonder bevoegde redaksie en bestuurspan gehad het. Die wyse waarop hy sy direkte teenstander, Die Suiderstem, in die stof laat byt het, lewer bewys van Die Burger se krag en invloed, veral in sy hinterland. Die Burger en die Nasionale Party van Kaapland se noue verbintenis het tot gevolg gehad dat hulle ’n gedugte span gevorm het. Die verbintenis, wat wedersydse voordele ingehou het, is grootliks versterk deur D.F. Malan se betrokkenheid by Die Burger. Die rol wat die twee redakteurs A.L. Geyer en PJA. Weber in die tydperk 1934 tot 1948 gespeel het, moet as van kardinale belang beskou word. Veral die persoonlike ondersteuning wat hulle aan D.F. Malan gegee het in sy opbou van die Nasionale Party in die jare 1934 - 1948, het ’n deurslaggewende uitwerking op die Suid-Afrikaanse politieke geskiedenis gehad. Die rol wat Die Burger gedurende die koalisietydperk en daarna tydens samesmelting gespeel het, asook sy besonder noue verbintenis met sy lesers, het die koerant veral in Kaapland ’n baie belangrike politieke faktor gemaak. Dit het aan hom ook ’n besondere posisie van mag binne die Nasionale Party van Suid- Afrika laat inneem. Hierin het Geyer as redakteur, maar veral in sy persoonlike hoedanigheid, ’n groot rol gespeel. Die Burger se jarelange bydrae as kultuurbouer van die Afrikaanssprekendes het meegewerk dat die koerant as mede-skepper van die Nasionale Party se apartheidsfilosofie opgetree het. Die filosofie is beskou as die enigste wyse waarop die Afrikaanssprekende se kulturele en politieke regte beskerm en bestendig kon word. As praktiese instrument het dit veral ná 1939 ook meegehelp om die Nasionale Party aan bewind te bring in 1948. Die koerant het J.C. Smuts en die Verenigde Party gereeld aangeval en op alle gebiede aan die kaak probeer stel. Veral gedurende en na die Tweede Wereldoorlog het die koerant die Smuts-bewind as ’n onbevoegde regering aan sy lesers voorgehou, 'en het sekerlik sukses daarmee behaal. / During the nineteen thirties and forties the Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger occupied a prominent place within the ambience of the South African press. Without reaching large circulation figures, it achieved recognition and respect because - apart from other reasons - it commanded the skills of a very competent editorial staff and management team. The way in which it effectively ousted its main rival Die Suiderstem, is testimony of its power and influence, particularly in its hinterland. The close association between Die Burger and the Cape National Party represented a formidable joining of forces. This relationship, entailing mutual advantages, was sustained significantly by the involvement of Dr. D.F. Malan with Die Burger. Of cardinal importance also was the part played by two editors, A.L. Geyer and P.A. Weber, in the period 1934 to 1948. Their personal support of Dr. Malan in establishing and consolidating the National Party during the years 1934 to 1948 had a decisive influence on South African political history. The role assumed by Die Burger in the period of Coalition and Fusion, as well as the close bond it had established with its readership, made it a potent political force, particularly in the Cape Province. At the same time it gained for itself an important position of power within the National Party of South Africa. In all of this Geyer was a central figure - officially as editor, but more particularly also in a personal capacity. Die Burger's efforts over the years in advancing the cultural cause of Afrikaners led the paper to become a co-founder of the National Party's philosophy of apartheid. The implementation of this ideology was regarded as the only way in which the cultural and political rights of Afrikaners could be safeguarded and maintained. After 1939 the paper proved instrumental in bringing the National Party to power in the election of 1948. It regularly attacked General J.C. Smuts and his United Party on a wide political front, pointing out their shortcomings in various areas. Especially during and immediately after World War II it severely criticized the Smuts government for being incompetent, and it undoubtedly achieved political success with this strategy. / History / D. Litt. et Phil.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Newspapers across the world, and more particularly here in South Africa, are in trouble due to dropping circulation figures and reduced income from advertisements. Technology, although impacting on the printed product, should not be seen as a threat, but rather as an opportunity. New and novel ways need to be explored to generate revenue from newspaper websites, by increased subscription figures, as well as other ways of monetizing content. Revenue from advertisements is still important in the online environment, but online news services can generate money in other ways by monetizing online news content through different payment models, advertorial content and e-commerce. In this study, the needs of users of an Afrikaans regional newspaper’s website will be explored and cues taken from the results of an online survey in order to better understand what it is that online news users want and what they are willing to pay for it, which is, by all accounts, not a lot.

The Press in Transition adopts a comparative approach to transitional print institutions worldwide. It is based on some 150 interviews and archival research on four continents, over a decade of unprecedented global transformation and upheaval. The dissertation seeks to fill a serious gap in the existing literature on democratization and political transition. Theoretical chapters advance a comparative model of press functioning (Chapter 1) and a more tentative model of transitional media, with a strong focus on the mainstream press (Chapter 6). The bulk of the work consists of four case-studies, each drawn from a different geographical region (indeed, continent) and a markedly different "type" of liberalization or transition process. The case of Nicaragua (Chapter 2) stands out somewhat. It concentrates almost exclusively on a single newspaper, Barricada, the former official organ of the Sandinista Front. The newspaper's transformations in the 1990s are, however, set against the backdrop of Barricades history since 1979, intra-Sandinista politics during and after the revolutionary era, and the more general interplay of media and politics in Nicaragua. The remaining three case-studies (South Africa, Jordan, and Russia: Chaps. 3-5) combine system-level analysis with micro-level portraits of transitional institutions and individuals. The core of the theoretical analysis lies in a delineation of "mobilizing" and "professional" imperatives. The former I attach mainly to sponsors and managers of media institutions; the latter mainly - not exclusively or universally — to the editorial side of the operation. The interplay of these variables I see as integral to an understanding of events at the case-study newspapers. The opening theoretical chapter situates mobilizing and professional imperatives as both dependent and independent variables. I argue that they reflect and respond to variables like underdevelopment, authoritarianism, and pre-existing media culture. But they also serve as founts of important and interesting initiatives, whether professional, political, or commercial. Significantly, too, they regularly conflict. The dissertation struggles to avoid heroicizing, but it also tries to show that tensions and upheavals — both small-scale and radically transformative - tend to derive from the clash of mobilizing and professional priorities.