ABSTRACT
The chapter illustrates that the community newspaper sector in South Africa has been quietly gathering strength as a force for diversity in terms of the representation of local voices. Figures from the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) show that small independent publishers not linked to the corporate and privatised ‘Big Four’ print media companies in ownership or distribution, print nearly 8-million copies monthly, in the country’s current population of approximately 55-million. Fourteen community newspapers were purposively selected for this study, as opposed to randomly, and chosen to represent a cross-section of geographical areas and languages. The research project took place during the month of August 2013, which coincided with Women’s Month, when awareness about gender issues including violence against women is traditionally highlighted in South Africa. The majority of voices and content (61%) in the 14 community newspapers and more than 140 stories analysed were sourced from the community itself rather than from press releases, officialdom and prominent figures.
