A comparative study of the factors affecting the growth/development of the rural community newspaper the Zoutpansberger and Mirror, Northern Province

Date
2001-12
Authors
Lubinga, Elizabeth Nviri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The print media, especially newspapers, play an important role in providing information in any society. In the rural communities of South Africa, information available to the people is scanty. Growth of a newspaper is necessary if a newspaper is to fulfil its duties. The Zoutpansberger and Mirror are two of the few local newspapers that circulate in the Far North Region of the Northern Province. The Zoutpansberger, which started in 1985, has experienced negative growth in the various departments of the newspaper, while the Mirror, which started in September 1990, has experienced slow growth. Several factors have been responsible for this. Therefore, there was a need to examine and compare the factors that have affected the growth/development of the newspapers over ten years. The aims and objectives of the study are to examine and compare the factors that affect the growth and development of the Zoutpansberger and Mirror, give suggestions to facilitate future growth and the best ways of utilising the available resources. A literature survey was carried out to get the perspectives of other researchers. Data was collected after conducting personal interviews, using the interview schedule. It was analysed and interpreted with the use of graphs and charts. The findings reveal that economic, social, cultural and geographical factors affect the growth of the newspaper. A few recommendations have been given to highlight ways in which the paper can make full use of the available resources.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die drukmedia, in die besonder koerante, speel 'n belangrike rol in die oordrag van inligting in enige samelewing. In die plattelandse gemeenskappe van Suid-Afrika is die beskikbare inligting karig. Vir 'n koerant om sy pligte na te kom, is dit nodig dat die koerant groei. Die Zoutpansberger en Mirror is twee van die plaaslike koerante in die Verre Noorde-streek van die Noordelike Provinsie. Die Zoutpansberger, gestig in 1985, het negatiewe groei In verskeie afdelings ondervind, terwyl die Mirror, gestig in September 1990, stadige groei ondervind het. Verskeie faktore is hiervoor verantwoordelik. Daar was daarom 'n behoefte om die faktore te ondersoek wat die groei van die koerante oor 'n tydperk van tien jaar beïnvloed het. Die doel van die studie is om die faktore wat die groei en ontwikkeling van die Zoutpansberger en die Mirror geraak het, te ondersoek en te vergelyk en om voorstelle te gee wat toekomstige groei en optimale benutting van beskikbare bronne kan bewerkstellig. 'n Literatuurstudie is gedoen om die perspektiewe van ander navorsers te betrek. Data is ingesamel nadat persoonlike onderhoude gedoen is met behulp van die onderhoudskedule. Dit is geanaliseer en geïnterpreteer met behulp van grafika en kaarte. Die bevindinge bring aan die lig dat ekonomiese, maatskaplike, kulturele en geografiese faktore die groei van die koerant beïnvloed. Enkele voorstelle is gemaak om moontlike maniere te belig waarop die koerant die beskikbare bronne ten volle kan benut.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
Keywords
Zoutpansberger, Mirror, Journalism -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Northern Province, Community newspapers -- South Africa -- Northern Province, Local mass media -- South Africa -- Northern Province, Journalism, Regional -- South Africa -- Northern Province, Dissertations -- Journalism
Citation