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Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Sep 1

Co-hosted by our Media Leadership Think Tank & International Fund for Public Interest Media, CTRL+J Africa convenes publishers, govts, regulators, funders & civil society to discuss who controls future of journalism. Live streaming from 9:00 AM (SAST) on 4 Sept: www.youtube.com/live/eVxDRtp...

CTRL+J Africa

www.youtube.com

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Aug 3

We have just completed Block 1 of the inaugural Executive Programme in Media Leadership at GIBS & what an energising start it’s been! As lead faculty for the programme, huge thanks to this fantastic pan-African group for your insight, curiosity & commitment. Look forward to seeing you again!

Gibs announces first cohort of Executive Programme in Media Leadership - Gordon Institute of Business Science

The Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs) is proud to announce the first cohort of its new Executive Programme in Media Leadership, an intensive four-month initiative...

www.bizcommunity.com

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Jun 21

It’s a line with deep roots and various origin stories, often regarded as a Turkish proverb. Whatever the source, the proverb speaks to a reality journalism must confront: the forces that weaken it are not always external. Sometimes, consequential decisions come from within.

When the axe came into the forest, the trees said: the handle is one of us

A reckoning with journalism’s internal compromises, and a path to resilience

Reposted by Michael Markovitz

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Jun 4

Excellent faculty confirmed for our EP in Media Leadership; from leading GIBS faculty in strategy, leadership, innovation & entrepreneurship to globally recognised experts in media sustainability, public interest journalism, digital transformation & emerging tech. www.gibs.co.za/programmes/e...

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Jun 4

Excellent faculty confirmed for our EP in Media Leadership; from leading GIBS faculty in strategy, leadership, innovation & entrepreneurship to globally recognised experts in media sustainability, public interest journalism, digital transformation & emerging tech. www.gibs.co.za/programmes/e...

What's really at stake in the Canal+, MultiChoice merger - TechCentral

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · May 26

Just in case you’re wondering, today @techcentral.co.za published my take on Africa’s biggest media deal - @canalplusat.bsky.social’s takeover of MultiChoice - now that the deal has been recommended for approval by South Africa’s Competition Commission. techcentral.co.za/really-at-st...

What the Canal+ takeover of MultiChoice could mean for competition in South Africa’s media ecosystem.

techcentral.co.za

Reposted by Michael Markovitz

TechCentral @techcentral.co.za · May 26

Opinion | Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social on what the Canal+ takeover of MultiChoice could mean for competition in South Africa’s media ecosystem.

What's really at stake in the Canal+, MultiChoice merger - TechCentral

What the Canal+ takeover of MultiChoice could mean for competition in South Africa’s media ecosystem.

techcentral.co.za

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Reposted by Michael Markovitz

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · May 19

SA has experienced how disinfo can be weaponised to damage its sovereignty, economy & credibility...The case vs Israel always triggered threats of retaliation & now the ‘white genocide’ lie is being amplified as geopolitical retribution. My piece: michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/why-defend...

Why defending information integrity should be a global priority for South Africa

M20 programme to elevate media issues on regional and international agendas

Why defending information integrity should be a global priority for South Africa

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · May 19

SA has experienced how disinfo can be weaponised to damage its sovereignty, economy & credibility...The case vs Israel always triggered threats of retaliation & now the ‘white genocide’ lie is being amplified as geopolitical retribution. My piece: michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/why-defend...

M20 programme to elevate media issues on regional and international agendas

Trump orders money meant for sick and elderly be used to fund Afrikaner refugees | News24

Reposted by Michael Markovitz

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · May 11

Vile disinformation operation delivers for these white refugees from democracy, proving that with enough money, privilege can be repackaged as victimhood. Meanwhile, the Trump regime’s cruelty toward its own vulnerable citizens continues to be fully exposed. (paywall) www.news24.com/citypress/ne...

The US government is expected to welcome the first batch of Afrikaner ‘refugees’ soon.

www.news24.com

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Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · May 11

Vile disinformation operation delivers for these white refugees from democracy, proving that with enough money, privilege can be repackaged as victimhood. Meanwhile, the Trump regime’s cruelty toward its own vulnerable citizens continues to be fully exposed. (paywall) www.news24.com/citypress/ne...

Trump orders money meant for sick and elderly be used to fund Afrikaner refugees | News24

The US government is expected to welcome the first batch of Afrikaner ‘refugees’ soon.

www.news24.com

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Reposted by Michael Markovitz

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · May 4

Press freedom without sustainability is like a voice without breath. It may exist in principle but can't be exercised in practice. We're responding not just through research & advocacy - but by equipping a new generation of leaders to meet this moment. michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/on-world-p...

On World Press Freedom Day: Why Media Leadership Matters

New executive programme is a direct response to market crisis in media and journalism

On World Press Freedom Day: Why Media Leadership Matters

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Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · May 4

Press freedom without sustainability is like a voice without breath. It may exist in principle but can't be exercised in practice. We're responding not just through research & advocacy - but by equipping a new generation of leaders to meet this moment. michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/on-world-p...

New executive programme is a direct response to market crisis in media and journalism

It’s time MPs investigated the Jewish Chronicle’s secret ownership

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Reposted by Michael Markovitz

Prospect Magazine @prospectmagazine.co.uk · May 4

The Jewish Chronicle is perhaps the only paper in British history where we are not allowed to know who owns it, or why. Its refusal to run an ad critical of Netanyahu makes this untenable, writes @arusbridger.bsky.social.
www.prospectmagazine...

Britain’s longest-standing Jewish newspaper has refused to run an advert criticising Benjamin Netanyahu. The case raises more questions about the pape...

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk

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Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Apr 21

Great piece by @arusbridger.bsky.social on the editorial & regulatory failure behind the Jewish Chronicle scandal in the UK. Not so in SA where the Jewish Report was 1st ever member to be expelled from SA Press Council for refusing to obey rulings in 2022.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...

A crisis at the Jewish Chronicle shows the toothlessness of the press watchdog

The country’s longest-standing Jewish newspaper ran fabricated stories that have prompted a widespread inquiry in Israel. But at home, the press regul...

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Apr 11

Looking forward to the virtual launch of our inaugural Executive Programme in Media Leadership at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), Joburg.

📅 Date: 15 April 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00-13:00 SAST (GMT+2)

Register for our webinar here!👉 lnkd.in/dRntcEeD

www.bizcommunity.com/article/gibs...

Gibs in collaboration with Daily Maverick launches groundbreaking media executive programme

Styli Charalambous and Michael Markovitz to take part in the virtual launch to address media’s sustainability crisis...

www.bizcommunity.com

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Mar 28

Here we are again. Another analogue switch off date has been suspended by a court, confirming decade long warnings from South African broadcasters and civil society groups.

My quick take on the judgement and the way forward: open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...

Update: Court Blocks Analogue Switch-Off — Again

"ASO would deliver a killer punch to SABC" and cause "irreparable harm"

Will the Canal+ takeover of MultiChoice sail through unchecked?

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Mar 22

Here is my latest piece on the Canal+ planned takeover of the Multichoice Group where I argue that the concentration of sports and premium content rights across the continent could have potentially dire consequences for African public broadcasters and commercial competitors.

Monopoly+

A Broken Promise: The Failure of South Africa’s Digital Migration

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Mar 5

Broken promises.
michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/a-broken-p...

Reposted by Michael Markovitz

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Mar 5

With e.tv's permission, you can watch The Switch Off on my substack, Media Explorations. Its an investigation by Karen Schoonbee & Annika Larsen into the repeated failure of SA's digital migration, including insights from experts, civil society & myself.
michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/a-broken-p...

Nine Years On, Digital Terrestrial Television Remains South Africa’s Smallest Broadcast Network

A Broken Promise: The Failure of South Africa’s Digital Migration

Michael Markovitz @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social · Mar 5

With e.tv's permission, you can watch The Switch Off on my substack, Media Explorations. Its an investigation by Karen Schoonbee & Annika Larsen into the repeated failure of SA's digital migration, including insights from experts, civil society & myself.
michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/a-broken-p...

Nine Years On, Digital Terrestrial Television Remains South Africa’s Smallest Broadcast Network