1. The mainstream media in South Africa have in recent years come under intense and sustained scrutiny, because of some media houses carrying content that suggests they are susceptible to manipulation or control by commercial and/or political interests. #TheCMShow

2. Incidents of questionable news coverage that lean towards market/political pressures have escalated, as new owners entered the media market. While some subtly pander to market pressures, others have been brazen in churning out content serving commercial and political interests

3. The endorsement of political parties during elections is one such case. Such tendencies give rise to the ‘propaganda model, where the mass media serve to mobilise support for the special interests that dominate the state and the private activity’. #TCMShow

4. This has a chilling effect, as it effectively means media houses are in a tactical alliances with political formations and businesses, instead of safeguarding their watchdog roles and as the champions of democracy.