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Computers and microphone seen in the studio.
The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) says community media is doing critical work by holding political leaders and government accountable for their actions while in power.
AIP Executive Director Dr Kate Skinner says print media plays a crucial role in informing the public and shaping opinions, despite the growing influence of digital platforms.
This is as AIP is set to commemorate its 20th anniversary as a national organisation championing the interests of grassroots and independent print media in South Africa, with a gala fundraising dinner next month.
The association says it is excited to mark this milestone, which is the result of the 2005 merger between the 126-year-old Community Press Association (CPA) and the Independent Media Alliance (IMA). Skinner says the AIP has achieved a lot over the past 20 years and shares where it is headed.
“Looking to the suture, we want to strengthen and deepen indigenous language media, and we want to look at print and digital media, and if you look at a single publication, for instance, we still have print, and we think it’s still really important in rural areas and small towns but also to be available digitally on social media and have a website presence. Community journalists are vulnerable, and they are doing that extremely critical work.” – Report by Ntombi Sithubi.
PODCAST | AIP Executive Director Dr Kate Skinner’s full interview on SAFM’s The Weekend View:
