{"id":26486,"date":"2025-09-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=26486"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:55:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:55:28","slug":"funding-community-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/funding-community-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Funding Challenges Continue to Hinder South Africa\u2019s Community Media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#key-role-of-community-media-in-south-africa\" data-level=\"2\">Key Role of Community Media in South Africa<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#persistent-funding-shortages\" data-level=\"2\">Persistent Funding Shortages<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#impact-of-economic-slowdown-and-funding-cuts\" data-level=\"2\">Impact of Economic Slowdown and Funding Cuts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#audience-measurement-and-advertising-challenges\" data-level=\"2\">Audience Measurement and Advertising Challenges<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#governance-and-leadership-issues\" data-level=\"2\">Governance and Leadership Issues<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-specific-funding-shortfalls-did-the-mdda-report-identify-for-community-media\" data-level=\"2\">What Specific Funding Shortfalls did the MDDA Report Identify for Community Media<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#innovative-revenue-models-and-digital-adaptation\" data-level=\"2\">Innovative Revenue Models and Digital Adaptation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#government-support-and-policy-proposals\" data-level=\"2\">Government Support and Policy Proposals<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-way-forward-collective-action-needed\" data-level=\"2\">Collective Action Needed<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-role-of-community-media-in-south-africa\">Key Role of Community Media in South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Funding community media is essential because community media; including radio stations, local newspapers, and grassroots broadcasters; play a crucial role in South Africa\u2019s democracy. They provide vital information, promote freedom of expression, and serve communities often overlooked by mainstream media. Millions rely on these platforms for news in indigenous languages and local issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RELEVANT ARTICLE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/lotteries-funding-sports-arts-sa\/\">The Role of Lotteries in Funding Sports and Arts in South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-654333260\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"persistent-funding-shortages\">Persistent Funding Shortages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite <a href=\"https:\/\/themediaonline.co.za\/2025\/06\/pillars-of-community\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">their importance<\/a>, community media face severe funding challenges. Many operate on shoestring budgets, dependent mostly on donor funding, grants, and limited advertising. Shifts in advertising to digital and podcast platforms have eroded traditional revenue, leaving community media struggling to cover costs like salaries, rent, and transmission fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"impact-of-economic-slowdown-and-funding-cuts\">Impact of Economic Slowdown and Funding Cuts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The sluggish economy has led to budget cuts, with marketing and advertising often the first to be reduced. Inconsistent government support and reduced donor funds exacerbate financial instability. Many outlets report high staff turnover due to low wages and inability to invest in professional development, further weakening operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Chief Operating Officer for Mahikeng FM, Mystery Itumeleng, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sabcnews.com\/sabcnews\/community-media-is-underfunded-mahikeng-fm-coo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">says<\/a> community media outlets are under-funded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are still in some ways underfunded and if not underfunded, we are still having to negotiate for fair trade and fair prices. I think even though community media does have the ability to give rate cuts for advertising to sustain ourselves, we still have to negotiate and sometimes at the back end with advertisers and those who have the bigger financial muscles,\u201d says Itumeleng.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2562169367\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"audience-measurement-and-advertising-challenges\">Audience Measurement and Advertising Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Community media struggle to prove their audience size and engagement due to a lack of resources for audience measurement research. This absence of reliable data makes attracting advertisers difficult, compounding revenue shortfalls. Efforts to secure funding for improved audience measurement aim to strengthen the sector\u2019s bargaining power and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"governance-and-leadership-issues\">Governance and Leadership Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some community media suffer from weak governance structures and political interference. Poorly constituted boards and management conflicts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdda.org.za\/mdda-community-media-sustainability-report.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reduce strategic direction<\/a> and accountability. The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) is developing governance toolkits and workshops to improve leadership capacity within the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-768102295\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-specific-funding-shortfalls-did-the-mdda-report-identify-for-community-media\">What Specific Funding Shortfalls did the MDDA Report Identify for Community Media<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The MDDA report specifically identifies several funding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vukuzenzele.gov.za\/mdda-changes-community-media-funding-process\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shortfalls<\/a> for community media in South Africa:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Limited Financial Support from Communities<\/strong>: Many community media organisations operate in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Due to the low economic capacity of their audiences, they receive limited financial contributions or support from these local communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insufficient Government and Donor Funding<\/strong>: The report highlights a decreasing ability of local government and donors to provide financial support. The reduction in social benefit grants and financial aid compounds the sector\u2019s challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Sustainable Revenue Models<\/strong>: Community media struggle to generate sufficient income independently. They often lack marketing and sales skills needed to attract advertisers, making revenue generation from advertising very limited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inadequate Audience Measurement<\/strong>: Without reliable data on audience sizes and engagement, community media find it hard to prove their value to advertisers and attract sustainable advertising revenue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operational and Human Resources Constraints<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The sector faces challenges operating effectively due to lack of key business and managerial skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low wages and instability lead to high staff turnover, hindering continuity and quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled personnel exacerbate operational instability, impacting the credibility and sustainability of media outlets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Need for Capacity Building and Governance Support<\/strong>: Many community media require assistance to improve governance structures, business planning, and sustainability strategies to meet funding criteria and enhance their long-term viability.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, the MDDA emphasises <a href=\"https:\/\/presscouncil.org.za\/2024\/12\/03\/mdda-report-outlines-challenges-ambitions-in-building-south-africas-mass-media\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the urgent need<\/a> for consolidating government support, expanding funding opportunities, improving marketing and audience analytics, and providing focused training to help community media move towards financial sustainability and operational stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Community media remains under funded\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JzZkMmf9gGE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/JzZkMmf9gGE?si=Q8-fJhgCZV2zdzWZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"innovative-revenue-models-and-digital-adaptation\">Innovative Revenue Models and Digital Adaptation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some organisations have diversified income by offering services like branded funeral policies, media training, studio rentals, and digital advertising. Digital innovation and partnerships are critical to community media survival and gradual adaptation to changing market dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-291808832\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"government-support-and-policy-proposals\">Government Support and Policy Proposals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been calls for government <a href=\"https:\/\/parliament.gov.za\/news\/gcis-budget-gets-conditional-green-light-parliament\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">to allocate<\/a> a dedicated portion of its advertising budget to community media, which could provide vital financial stability. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has committed to allocating at least 30% of government media spend to community outlets. The MDDA and partners also advocate for sustained funding and capacity building to <a href=\"https:\/\/aip.org.za\/2024\/11\/25\/south-africas-biggest-investment-in-community-media-a-historic-day-for-local-journalism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strengthen<\/a> the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-way-forward-collective-action-needed\">Collective Action Needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the challenges are significant, community media remain essential to South Africa\u2019s media landscape. Their sustainability depends on a coordinated effort among government, private sector, and civil society to improve funding, governance, skills, and digital transformation. Protecting community media means safeguarding local voices, media diversity, and democratic participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"M20 | Funding remains a huge challenge for community media in South Africa\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O9irlvYxWw8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/O9irlvYxWw8?si=Gg2rvNItPveSLE_o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Community media in South Africa face ongoing funding and operational challenges, threatening their sustainability despite their vital role in democracy. Learn about their struggles and collaborative solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":26502,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Community media in South Africa face ongoing funding and operational challenges, threatening their sustainability despite their vital role in democracy. Learn about their struggles and collaborative solutions.","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[5852,8142,7098,8260],"class_list":{"0":"post-26486","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-community-development","9":"tag-digital-transformation","10":"tag-diversity-and-inclusion","11":"tag-funding"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26486"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26501,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26486\/revisions\/26501"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}