"The academic publishing sector in South Africa is facing many changes and challenges in the post-1994 democracy, with most of the changes brought about by the Higher Education Act No. 101 of 1997. A recent challenge, or threat, to commercial publishers is the phenomenon, and proliferation, of self-
...
publishing. Although not a trend commonly associated with academic textbook publishing, self-publishing has in recent years increased in frequency and to some extent influences the prospects of new business and profits by South African commercial publishers, especially when academic self-publishers of textbooks prescribe their self-published textbooks to their students for particular courses. This study aims to show that self-publishing exists within the South African academic community for a variety of reasons, and does in fact impact adversely on the market share of academic publishers." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 2536)
more
"A study commissioned and funded by the South African Department of Arts and Culture. It comprises an investigation of the factors that affect the cost of books in South Africa, conducted in order to identify possible ways in which government, industry members and other stakeholders can work togethe
...
r to reduce the cost of books and make books more accessible. The factors that affect the cost of books are dealt with by examining each of the five principal segments of the book value chain separately, namely paper, printing, publishing, distribution, and bookselling, and by furthermore investigating the sector-specific drivers of cost in the following three book market segments: (1) Educational books, comprising books used in primary and secondary education, i.e. books for [South African] Grades 1 - 12; (2) Academic books aimed at the tertiary education sector; and, (3) Trade books, which include both fiction and non-fiction books aimed at the general market." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1076)
more
"Presents the baseline data of quantitative research undertaken into the reading, book reading, and book buying habits of South Africans from the age of 16. The survey was commissioned by the South African Department of Arts and Culture through the Print Industries Cluster Council (PICC), now part o
...
f the South African Book Development Council. The survey, supported by a massive amount of statistical analysis in the form of charts and tables, is presented under five sectors: Reading and the research in context; South African leisure life; Reading in South Africa; Book reading in South Africa-segmenting the market, and Strategic interpretations and the way forward." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1077)
more
"Media on the Move provides a critical analysis of the dynamics of the international flow of images and ideas. This comes at a time when the political, economic and technological contexts within which media organisations operate are becoming increasingly global. The surge in transnational traffic in
...
media products has primarily benefited the major corporations such as Disney, AOL, Time Warner and News Corporation. However, as this book argues, new networks have emerged which buck this trend: Brazilian TV is watched in China, Indian films have a huge following in the Arab world and Al Jazeera has become a household name in the West. Combining a theoretical perspective on contra-flow of media with grounded case studies into one up-to-date and accessible volume, Media on the Move provides a much-needed guide to the globalization of media, going beyond the standard Anglo-American view of this evolving phenomenon." (Publisher description)
more
"Chapter One focuses on the story of the Kidz Radio Project, and its vision; children's radio in South Africa (case studies and examples); international children's radio initiatives. Chapter Two is a market-place of ideas from kids, mentors and teachers who work in the field of children's participat
...
ion. It includes tips from Kidz Radio participants; tips from older people; thoughts on participation and power-sharing; guidelines on how to create a healthy environment for learning. Chapter Three explores a range of activities that you can use in your Kidz Radio training. For example: confidence-building games and energisers; activities to release creativity; role plays; tools for teaching children interview skills, presentation techniques, and “writing for the ear”. Chapter Four discusses the most popular formats in Kidz Radio: magazine shows (including drama, storytelling, interviews, radio diaries, jokes and phone-ins); and news (how to report the stories that matter most to young people in your community). Chapter Five is a library of articles, toolkits, handbooks and websites about children's radio – not just in South Africa, but in other parts of the world too." (Page 7)
more
"Liberation and the Media takes a look at the development of the South African daily newspaper market since the end of apartheid. It covers the country's most important political, social and economical developments since 1990 and explains correlations between South Africa's general development and i
...
ts newspaper's market between 1990 and 2006. By looking at changes of ownership and new ideas of publishing for a society as divided as South Africa, Liberation and the Media explains what the factors for successful publishing in South Africa are since the end of apartheid, and asks to what extent the market is still influenced by apartheid." (Publisher description)
more
"The Gender and Media Baseline Study, conducted in southern Africa in 2003, revealed glaring gender disparities in the media and in its editorial content. With its goal to ‘promote gender equality in and through the media’, Gender Links (GL) has worked with a broad range of partners to try to re
...
dress these gaps through research, advocacy, and training, targeting media producers, those who influence news content, and consumers. GL, and the Gender and Media Southern Africa (GEMSA) network that it hosts, are also developing a Gender and Media Diversity Centre, to enhance the sharing of knowledge in this important but relatively new area of work." (Abstract)
more
"This book analyzes the different ways in which media are being used for community building and it also critically interrogates the concept of community itself. The authors do that from a variety of different perspectives, ranging from fundamental philosophical questions regarding community, to the
...
role of journalism, the possibilities of community building on a local, national and global level, online media communities as means of empowerment for marginalized groups, the representation of communities in the media, and the formation of learning communities. Although there is a clear dominance in focusing on the chances and possibilities opened up by the Internet, the role of more traditional media like magazines, radio and television is being examined as well. Both sides, the media representations with the identity positions they offer as well as the interpretations and meaning productions that take place by the users of the media, are taken into account to cover the full range of media as cultural tools of connectivity." (Publisher description)
more
"Community radio is best understood against the background of the other forms of broadcasting, namely public service, and commercial or private broadcasting. Unlike these, community broadcasting is not state-owned, but rather community-owned and managed. Neither is it aimed at profit-making, but at
...
facilitating communication in communities not specifically served by the mass media broadcasters. From simple death announcements to community mobilization to clean up market places or prevent crime, to promoting cross-gender dialogue, to civic education, community radio gives voice to rural and urban oft marginalized communities. This book traces the development of community radio in Europe and the Americas, and eventual rooting in Africa, all the wile noting its great contributions to development in communities. The author presents a continental overview, and an in-depth analysis of the broadcasting in Ghana, South Africa and Zambia, each with its specific legal, politico-historical milieus and community radio case studies." (Back cover)
more
"From all that has come before it should be all too clear that starting up and developing a small independent community newspaper takes considerable tenacity. There is a general perception in this sector that the value of these publications often goes unacknowledged. Shirley Govender of the Southern
...
and Soweto News summarises how many of independents in this research appear to feel: “No one takes you seriously as an independent publisher…[we] feel that disadvantage is running through our veins.” In every single newspaper’s case study at least one person says they are in the industry for the love of it. Most are stoic regarding challenges they face. Some are more independent than others. Many form good and often interesting symbiotic partnerships to share resources and people-power. Some report on contentious issues, most do not. The majority use their newspapers in ways that work towards building a better life for themselves and the communities they serve. But few have the time and know-how to access and engage with media development agencies. And fewer still have the time and expertise to represent the voice of small community publications in the battle against unfair competition, inequitable practices and marginalisation." (Conclusion, page 114)
more