Growing pains in the development of a free press in Africa and Asia: A comparative analysis – South Africa and India

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the growing pains in the development of an independent and free press in South Africa and India, is the focus of this article. The two countries are from the least developed regions of the world – sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia – and are influential democracies in their respective regions. While the fight for press freedom in South Africa is more political, i.e. between a white press and a black government, the battles in India are about both politics and business, with the press occasionally criticising the government, but more often trading favours with it. The comparative study explores common challenges and unique barriers to press freedom in the two countries, by examining the impact of colonial histories, politics and business on the press. A brief overview of the current status of press freedom in Africa and Asia was also outlined to provide the context for the comparative analysis.

Keywords:

• elitist press
• information bill
• Media Appeals Tribunal
• press commercialisation
• press diversity
• press freedom
• press independence
• press ownership
• vernacular press