Bridging the gap: an analysis of the complicated relationship between government and the media 23 years into democracy

Abstract

This study examines the complex relationship between the media and the government in South Africa during 23 years of democracy, from 1994 to 2017. It analyses the evolution of such relations during this post-apartheid period, examining the perceived tensions between the media and the government. By extension, this also includes relations between the media and the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) –and the impact this has had on the ability of the government to communicate effectively with its citizens. This research further defines what is meant by the media and the government. The theoretical framework employed in this study focuses on the importance of communications in a democracy and the critical nature of media relations. This is both in helping to fulfil the obligation of the state to communicate as an intricate part of democratic governance, and its mandate as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Theoretical insights were drawn from the Habermasian public sphere to trace the origins of the tension between government and media in their bid to communicate with citizens (Habermas, 1964). Additionally, theorists such as Oyugu, Odhiambo, Chege & Gitonga (1988); Manyozo (2012); Nwagbara (2010) and Cheeseman (2019) aided the researcher to explore the African democratic perspective in order to unpack a decolonised paradigm of the public sphere. Data from previous studies, interviews with key role players, as well as the Frank Dialogues platform for debate between the media and the government communicators expanded the discourse analysis to answer the question -‘How can the gap between the media and the government be bridged?’ The contribution of this thesis is an attempt at identifying tactics to build bridges between the government and the media, while forming a theoretical basis for the best manner to actualise this important intervention. The study concludes with key reflections on whether it is possible to improve relations between the media and the government. This will, thus, provide explorative suggestions to enhance government communications through, for example, development communication and unmediated communication