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Media24

Media24 is a South African and wholly owned subsidiary of Limited, functioning as the country's premier publisher across print and digital platforms, including newspapers, magazines, e-commerce services, book publishing, and distribution logistics. Established through the consolidation of ' media operations, it dominates the local market with flagship digital properties like News24, South Africa's most-trafficked online news destination, alongside print titles such as Die Burger, Rapport, and Afrikaans-language weeklies. The company's portfolio extends to specialized verticals, including property (Property24), jobs (Careers24), and automotive classifieds, reflecting a strategic pivot toward digital services amid eroding print revenues. Media24's operations are headquartered in , where it manages printing presses and distribution networks supporting both its own imprints and third-party clients. As part of —a JSE-listed multinational with significant stakes in global tech via —Media24 benefits from synergies in content distribution and data analytics, though its core remains rooted in South African vernacular media, particularly Afrikaans and English-language outlets. Notable achievements include pioneering online news aggregation in South Africa via News24 since 1998 and maintaining leadership in community journalism through regional dailies, yet Media24 has encountered regulatory scrutiny, including a 2015 Competition Tribunal ruling for predatory pricing that undermined a rival Free State newspaper, alongside recent operational reviews contemplating the phase-out of underperforming print editions like City Press and Daily Sun due to unsustainable losses in the advertising-funded model. These challenges underscore broader industry pressures from digital disruption and shifting consumer habits, prompting mergers like the contested acquisition of Novus Holdings' printing assets, which rivals argue could consolidate market power and reduce journalistic pluralism.

History

Origins and Naspers Legacy

Media24's origins are inextricably linked to , which was established on May 12, 1915, as Nasionale Pers Beperk (National Press Limited) to publish Die Burger, an Afrikaans-language daily newspaper launched in . The initiative aimed to foster Afrikaner cultural identity and political autonomy following the Anglo-Boer War, countering the dominance of English-language media controlled by mining interests and British sympathizers. Die Burger quickly became a key organ for promoting National Party ideals, influencing the party's formation in and its subsequent rise to power in 1924. Naspers expanded its operations systematically, incorporating as a in 1916 and venturing into book publishing by 1918. Key additions included Die Volksblad in (1925), a regional , and later national titles like Rapport (1970), a with broad appeal. By the mid-20th century, controlled a portfolio of dailies, weeklies, and magazines, including English-language ventures like Fairlady (1965), establishing it as South Africa's preeminent group. This dominance extended into the era (1948–1994), where its publications generally aligned with National Party policies, providing editorial support for segregationist governance while prioritizing Afrikaner readership and advertising revenue from state-linked entities. The legacy in print media culminated in the formation of Media24 on August 1, 2000, as a wholly owned to consolidate and streamline the group's consumer publishing operations, including legacy titles like Die Burger and . This restructuring separated print and digital media from ' emerging internet and international investments, preserving the historical focus on newspapers, magazines, and books amid a shifting media landscape. Media24 inherited ' foundational emphasis on content and market leadership, with over 100 titles by the early 2000s, though it later navigated criticisms of the parent company's historical role in bolstering apartheid-era narratives through uncritical coverage and influence on policy discourse.

Formation and Early Expansion (2000–2010)

Media24 was formed in August 2000 as an independent subsidiary of Naspers, consolidating the group's print media assets previously managed under Nasmedia, including newspapers, magazines, and book publishing. This divestment and reorganization enabled specialized oversight of South Africa's largest print media operations, with Naspers retaining full ownership. At inception, Media24 held a dominant position, controlling 26.7% of national newspaper circulation and leading magazine publishing with over 60 titles contributing to a 37.4% share. Its portfolio encompassed established newspapers such as Die Burger, Beeld, , and City Press, alongside Afrikaans and English magazines like Huisgenoot and You. Early expansion included strategic acquisitions and new launches to broaden market reach. In 2000, Media24 acquired a 50% stake in the English-language Natal Witness, strengthening its foothold in despite subsequent competition scrutiny. The company also ventured into digital media, debuting sites like news24.com under the Media24 brand. A pivotal development occurred on 1 July 2002 with the launch of Daily Sun, a low-cost tabloid aimed at working-class urban readers, which achieved over 500,000 daily circulation by the mid-2000s and became South Africa's top-selling newspaper. Magazine growth accelerated, with introductions like , True Love Babe, Maxpower, and by 2007, diversifying consumer and lifestyle offerings. By 2010, Media24 had expanded to publish around 50 titles and 60 magazines annually, distributing over 187 million copies and affirming its status as Africa's premier print media entity amid rising integration.

Post-2010 Transformations and Shift

In the early , Media24 intensified its investments amid declining print circulation, expanding platforms like 24.com, which grew unique users by over 20% to 4.8 million in the year ended March 2012, while launching Zulu-language news services and a Kenyan news site. The company developed tablet and mobile apps for titles such as Die Burger and introduced features for magazines like Sarie, positioning itself as a multi-platform content provider with redesigned production processes to integrate alongside print. These efforts reflected a strategic diversification, though revenues lagged print profitability at the time, prompting ongoing adaptations to slower monetization in online formats. A pivotal transformation occurred in , when Media24 unbundled its majority stake in Novus Holdings, reducing ownership from 66.5% to 19% through distribution to shareholders on September 25, yielding R1.4 billion in proceeds. This divestment, mandated by competition authorities following a 2016 merger review, severed ties to commercial printing operations, including termination of key contracts with Novus effective March 2018, to refocus resources on and rather than physical production. The move aligned with broader industry pressures from print's structural decline, enabling Media24 to allocate capital toward enhancing online news delivery and user engagement. By the 2020s, Media24 accelerated its digital pivot, announcing in June 2024 the closure of print editions for flagship titles including Beeld, , City Press, Daily Sun, and Soccer Laduma by December 31, 2024, while converting and City Press to digital-only under and , respectively, and launching a free-access Daily Sun in January 2025. , serving audiences, reported nearly 100,000 subscribers, underscoring investments in personalized content, faster publishing, and enriched multimedia to sustain journalism amid print's obsolescence. This phase emphasized two core digital brands—News24 and —for news operations, prioritizing quality reporting over legacy formats, though challenges persisted in achieving equivalent digital ad and subscription yields to offset lost print income.

Corporate Structure and Operations

Ownership and Governance

Media24 is a wholly owned of Limited, a multinational investment group listed on the Johannesburg (JSE) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE). maintains full control over Media24's strategic direction and operations as part of its South African media and classifieds portfolio, which includes digital platforms alongside print assets. This ownership structure reflects ' broader focus on consumer internet and media investments, with Media24 operating independently but aligned with parent company oversight. In terms of , Media24 applies the principles of the King IV Report on for , 2016 (as amended), emphasizing ethical leadership, effective control, and stakeholder accountability. The company adopts ' Code of and Conduct, which mandates , with laws, and mechanisms for reporting ethical concerns, including a speak-up policy for whistleblowers. is integrated into board oversight, with regular monitoring of ethics performance and adherence to relevant regulations. The board of directors comprises independent and non-executive members, chaired by Rachel Jafta since April 2013, with prior service dating to 2007. Key directors include , executive chairman of ; Khomotso Mthimunye; and Trevor Petersen. Executive leadership is headed by CEO Raj Lalbahadur, appointed on April 11, 2025, following an interim role, supported by acting CFO Nelmari Beyers and other functional heads. The board sets ethical and oversees strategy, ensuring alignment with ' governance framework while addressing Media24-specific operational risks.

Leadership and Key Executives

Raj Lalbahadur serves as the of Media24, appointed permanently effective April 11, 2025, following his role as interim CEO from September 9, 2024. Lalbahadur joined Media24 in 2007 as a senior financial manager, advanced to of the lifestyle division in 2009, served as acting group in 2015, and held the group position prior to his elevation to CEO. He holds a BComm from the and an MBA from the New York Institute of Finance. Lalbahadur succeeded Ishmet Davidson, who retired as CEO effective September 9, 2024, after serving in the role since October 2018. Davidson had joined Media24 in 2012 as head of community newspapers and later led the news division from 2014. Other key executives include Nelmari Beyers as acting , overseeing financial operations amid ongoing transitions. Mergan Velayudan holds dual roles as head of and interim , focusing on technological integration. Lurica Jacquet serves as , managing governance and compliance. Su-Anne van der Merwe is , handling legal affairs. In divisional leadership, Minette Ferreira leads Media24 Media as CEO, Eugene Ashton directs Media24 Books as CEO, and Izelle Venter heads Media24TV as CEO. Additional roles encompass Charlene Rolls as head of accelerated adoption and Mondli Makhanya as editor-in-chief of City Press. The board is chaired by Rachel Jafta, providing oversight aligned with parent company ' strategic direction.

Revenue Streams and Financial Overview

Media24's primary revenue streams have historically included (both and ), circulation and subscription sales ( copies and paywalls), distribution and services through subsidiaries like On the Dot and M24 , television production commissions, and book publishing sales via Book24. has traditionally formed a significant portion, though ad revenues have faced pressure from market competition and economic conditions in , while has declined amid falling circulations. subscriptions, particularly via News24 and Netwerk24 paywalls, have emerged as a growth area, with subscriber numbers increasing 19% year-over-year to over 200,000 in FY2024, supported by initiatives like Paygates for tailored paid content models in lifestyle segments. revenues benefited from external distribution contracts, and TV operations generated income from commissions on external projects, though these have been secondary to core activities. The company has undergone a strategic pivot away from print dependency, closing most printed newspapers (including titles like Beeld, Rapport, City Press, Daily Sun, and Soccer Laduma) by late 2024, which halved print revenues over the prior seven years and prompted divestments in and certain community titles to streamline operations. This shift emphasizes digital platforms, where News24 maintains over 20 million monthly users and exceeds 100,000 subscribers, though overall ad revenues continue to contract due to shrinking readership and rising distribution costs in legacy operations. Financially, Media24 reported total revenue of US$182 million in FY2024 (year ended March 31, 2024), a 16% decline (7% in constant currency) from the prior year, driven by softer digital advertising and print volumes, offset partially by subscription growth and logistics stability. Trading profit narrowed to US$2 million from US$7 million, reflecting cost containment amid economic headwinds. In FY2025, revenue fell further to US$141 million, a 17-19% drop attributed to the print closures and restructuring, resulting in an adjusted EBIT loss of US$15 million compared to a prior profit. These figures, drawn from Naspers' consolidated reporting as Media24's parent, underscore the challenges of transitioning to a digital-first model while sustaining profitability in a contracting traditional media environment.

Print Media Portfolio

Newspapers

Media24's newspapers division encompasses a range of daily, weekly, and Sunday titles primarily serving South African audiences, with a historical emphasis on -language publications rooted in the company's heritage. The portfolio includes flagship dailies like Die Burger, an newspaper established in 1915 and published six days a week from , focusing on national and regional news for readers, which remains in print as of 2025. Similarly, Son, an tabloid targeting mass-market readers with sensationalist content, continues print operations. Other prominent titles historically included Beeld, an Afrikaans daily aimed at and North West readers; Rapport, its Sunday counterpart offering in-depth political, sports, and lifestyle coverage; City Press, an English-language Sunday paper directed at urban black South Africans with sections on , , and careers; Daily Sun, an English tabloid for working-class audiences emphasizing , entertainment, and human interest stories; Volksblad, an Afrikaans daily in the ; and regional variants like the Eastern Cape edition of Die Burger. These publications experienced severe circulation declines amid rising distribution costs and shifting reader habits, with Daily Sun falling from 283,216 copies in early 2014 to 11,889 by 2024, Rapport from approximately 335,000 in 2000 to around 60,000 in 2024, and Beeld's weekday edition dropping over 60% in recent years. In June 2024, Media24 announced the closure of print and PDF editions for Beeld, City Press, Daily Sun, Rapport, Volksblad, and the Eastern Cape Die Burger edition, effective December 2024, transitioning them to digital platforms like Netwerk24.com for Afrikaans content and News24.com or SNL24.com/dailysun for English. This restructuring addressed persistent financial losses in print, driven by structural media shifts rather than isolated mismanagement. Media24 also maintained a portfolio of over 20 community newspapers serving local markets, such as People's Post and Express titles, which were sold to Novus Holdings in 2024 for 43 million alongside media logistics operations, allowing Novus to sustain their viability in niche areas. Prior to these changes, the division produced around 187.5 million newspapers annually across more than 60 titles, positioning Media24 as South Africa's largest publisher.

Magazines

Media24's magazine portfolio, managed under the Media24 Lifestyle division, encompasses titles primarily in Afrikaans and English, with some targeting black South African readers, focusing on family stories, lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and practical advice. The division holds a leading position in the South African magazine market, distributing a substantial share of national sales through weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly publications. Key weekly titles include Huisgenoot, launched in 1916 as De Huisgenoot, which delivers real-life dramas, celebrity features, and consumer advice to Afrikaans-speaking families. Its English counterpart, YOU, established as a companion publication, reaches nearly 1.5 million readers weekly with similar content adapted for English audiences. DRUM, originating in 1951, specializes in lifestyle journalism for black South Africans, having pioneered coverage of urban black experiences during apartheid. Among women's magazines, Sarie, Media24's oldest Afrikaans title for women debuting on July 6, 1949, emphasizes modern South African narratives, fashion, and empowerment, with its inaugural issue selling out nationwide within 24 hours. Fairlady serves English-speaking women with diverse lifestyle topics, while TrueLove addresses fashion, beauty, and relationships for modern . Bi-weekly Kuier provides practical guidance on daily life for readers. Bimonthly offerings include Weg!/go!, catering to outdoor and travel enthusiasts with budget-friendly destination guides, published in both Afrikaans (Weg!) and English (go!). Tuis/Home functions as a practical for home and living . Niche titles such as Landbouweekblad cover for Afrikaans farmers, and SA Jagter/Hunter focuses on and . In July 2020, amid declining print revenues, Media24 restructured its magazine operations, closing five titles—Bona, Country Life, Essentials, and two others from a list including Food & Home and Vrouekeur—while reducing frequencies and shifting others to digital formats or production. This affected around 10 publications overall, reflecting broader industry pressures from digital disruption, though core titles like Huisgenoot and YOU persisted in print.

Book Publishing

Media24's book publishing operations are managed under Media24 Books (Pty) Ltd, encompassing , educational, and segments. This division publishes in and English, targeting South African and regional markets, with a portfolio that includes both local authors and international distributions. In 2024, book publishing remained a core revenue stream amid Media24's broader digital shifts, retaining market leadership in general books through subsidiaries like NB Publishers. NB Publishers, the primary trade arm, holds the position of South Africa's largest local publisher, specializing in , , children's, and books. It operates seven main imprints, including Tafelberg and Human & Rousseau for titles, Queillerie and for English-language works, and Lux Verbi for Christian and . Established as part of Media24's print legacy from ' Nasionale Pers origins, NB has published notable authors in genres ranging from to . As of 2025, its digital resources are integrating with Jonathan Ball Publishers' platform amid operational streamlining. Jonathan Ball Publishers, founded in 1976 and later acquired by Media24, concentrates on , with emphasis on South African politics, current affairs, biographies, and history. It also distributes titles from major international publishers, introducing global bestsellers to local readers. In 2020, it expanded by acquiring UK-based Icon Books, enhancing its non-fiction catalog. Educational publishing includes Via Afrika, which produces school textbooks aligned with South African curricula, and Van Schaik Publishers, focused on academic and tertiary-level materials. Collegium serves similar educational needs, potentially with a regional orientation. These units support institutional sales, contributing to Media24's diversified print portfolio.

Digital and Online Ventures

News and Content Platforms

Media24's digital news and content platforms form the core of its online operations, emphasizing subscription models, content, and targeted audience engagement amid a shift from print media. The primary English-language platform, News24, delivers comprehensive coverage of national and international news, including , , , and , supplemented by interactive features such as live updates and user commentary. It records approximately 180 million monthly page views, positioning it as South Africa's most visited news site. Complementing News24 is Netwerk24, Media24's flagship Afrikaans digital platform, which operates as the largest subscription-based news service in . It aggregates award-winning journalism from a nationwide team, incorporating on-the-scene reporting, podcasts, videos, and access to digitized content from legacy titles like Huisgenoot and Sarie. Following the closure of print editions for several newspapers in December 2024, Netwerk24 integrated digital-only versions of brands such as , Beeld, and Volksblad, enhancing its role as the central hub for Afrikaans-speaking audiences. SNL24 serves as an umbrella site for specialized tabloid, sports, and lifestyle content, hosting platforms like Daily Sun—a digital-only brand since 2024 with a daily readership exceeding 5 million—alongside Soccer Laduma and KickOff. These sites focus on urban news, analysis, and entertainment, ranking among 's top digital publishers in the news and media category. Additional content platforms include Business Insider South Africa for in-depth financial and market analysis, and niche sites like Landbou for and rural affairs, reflecting Media24's strategy to diversify digital offerings. This portfolio supports a broader transition to a fully digital model, initiated in 2024, where operations consolidate around high-traffic news brands to sustain revenue through advertising, subscriptions, and integrations amid print declines.

E-commerce and Ancillary Services

Media24 maintains online shops that enable direct sales of its publications and select merchandise, integrating e-commerce with its core media offerings. The Media24 Shop serves as a centralized platform for purchasing magazines, puzzles, and special-interest titles, with free delivery on orders and a focus on titles from its lifestyle portfolio. Brand-specific stores, such as Huisgenoot Winkel for Afrikaans lifestyle products and You Store for consumer magazine extensions, expand these sales channels. These platforms cover categories like home goods, fashion accessories, wellness items, and entertainment, though primarily tied to editorial content rather than standalone retail. In its earlier e-commerce expansion, Media24 launched Spree in 2013 as a shoppable online retailer, curated from its women's to blend recommendations with direct purchases. This initiative marked Media24's initial foray into non-media , emphasizing accessible shopping for magazine readers. By 2018, Spree merged with Superbalist—another Naspers-linked —into a new venture where Media24 held 51% ownership, aiming to consolidate online apparel sales. Following the 2014 closure of five smaller sites, Media24 shifted emphasis toward media-synergistic sales, leveraging magazine audiences for targeted . Ancillary services bolster these e-commerce activities via M24 Logistics, Media24's dedicated fulfillment arm, which provides end-to-end solutions including imports/exports across over 30 African countries, bonded and non-bonded warehousing with 46,000 m² of secure shelving, and last-mile delivery integration. This unit supports B2B and B2C merchants with customizable customer service, courier management for same-day options, and proprietary software for order tracking, enabling scalable operations without in-house logistics infrastructure. In 2024, Media24 sold its On the Dot media distribution subsidiary to Novus Holdings, streamlining to prioritize e-commerce-aligned logistics amid a digital pivot; the transaction faced but overcame legal challenges from competitors. These services generated operational efficiencies, with M24 Logistics positioning itself as a key enabler for African e-commerce growth as of 2025.

Television and Broadcasting

Channel Launches and Content

Media24 entered the television broadcasting sector through partnerships with , launching its first dedicated channel, VIA, on November 9, 2015, at 16:00 on channel 147. This 24-hour Afrikaans-language and channel targeted women and families, featuring 22 original programs focused on food, diets, relationships, and style. VIA's content emphasized fresh, captivating programming, including reality shows and expansions into scripted formats such as the streaming Die Testament in 2019. By its first full year, the channel achieved audience growth across all bouquets, over-achieving launch targets within six months. In February 2021, Media24 launched , a pan-African channel on channel 173, available to , Compact Plus, and Compact subscribers. The channel prioritized authentic African storytelling through unscripted content in , food, cooking, relationships, weddings, and reality formats, including The Buzz hosted by and The Next Big Trender, a continental search for emerging influencers starting March 2021. aimed to explore African lives and loves with programming sourced from multiple territories. Media24's television content production is supported by in-house units like POP24, which develops reality shows, scripted series, and other formats for distribution across channels including VIA, as well as streaming platforms like . These launches marked Media24's strategic entry into lifestyle broadcasting, leveraging its print and digital expertise to create targeted, audience-specific programming amid South Africa's competitive pay-TV market.

Strategic Shifts in TV Operations

In 2015, Media24 entered the television broadcasting sector by launching VIA, its first linear TV channel, as part of a diversification strategy to extend its media portfolio beyond print and digital news into targeted at Afrikaans-speaking audiences. The channel debuted on MultiChoice's platform on channel 147 on November 9, 2015, focusing on food, , home, and family-oriented programming to capitalize on underserved niche markets. This move marked Media24's initial foray into TV production and distribution, leveraging its existing content expertise to produce original shows and build viewer engagement through 24-hour programming. By 2021, Media24 expanded its TV operations with the launch of , a Pan-African channel on channel 173, produced by its in-house TV studio division to target a broader continental audience with content emphasizing , , , and cultural stories. The channel premiered on February 15, 2021, featuring original programming hosted by figures like , aiming to fill gaps in African-centric media amid growing demand for localized content on satellite platforms. However, this expansion reflected a strategic pivot toward multi-platform content creation, as Media24 began producing shows not only for its own channels but also for external broadcasters and streaming services like . In a notable reversal, Media24 ceased operations of on October 31, 2023, after less than three years, signaling a contraction in linear TV channel ownership amid rising production costs and shifting viewer preferences toward formats. The closure, confirmed by , highlighted challenges in sustaining niche linear channels, with Media24 redirecting resources to its production arm, POP24, which generates reality shows, dramas, and other formats for distribution across DStv channels, , , and streaming platforms. This shift underscores a broader operational realignment from channel operation to agile , enabling scalability in a competitive landscape dominated by consumption. VIA underwent its own evolution, expanding in 2019 from unscripted lifestyle fare into scripted programming, including the Afrikaans streaming soap Die Testament for , to adapt to hybrid broadcast-streaming models. By 2016, VIA had introduced new reality and entertainment shows to boost ratings, demonstrating iterative adjustments based on audience feedback and market performance. These changes align with Media24's overarching transition to digital media sustainability, where operations increasingly prioritize versatile content assets over fixed linear schedules, reducing dependency on distribution amid declining traditional viewership.

Business Developments

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring

In 2011, Media24 acquired sole control of New Media Publishing (NMP) by increasing its stake to 58% of the issued share capital, enabling expanded influence over community newspapers and magazines. This transaction was rationalized as strengthening Media24's position in regional media markets amid competitive pressures. The Competition Tribunal approved a merger in 2017 between Media24's publication business and Novus Holdings' operations, subject to conditions to mitigate potential anti-competitive effects in services. Earlier, Media24 had secured joint control of the Natal Witness group, later moving to sole control, which drew but was assessed as not substantially lessening . Facing declining print circulation and advertising revenue, Media24 initiated a major in July 2020, proposing closures of five magazines—including Sarie and Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe—and two newspapers, alongside and frequency reductions, resulting in 660 position eliminations affecting approximately 510 staff. This shift prioritized digital platforms amid structural industry changes. By mid-2024, intensified print revenue declines prompted further restructuring, including the divestiture of three On the Dot divisions—book printing, magazine printing, and distribution—to Novus Holdings for R43 million, completed in November 2024 after Competition Commission approval in October. The plan encompassed ceasing print editions of titles such as Beeld, Rapport, City Press, and Daily Sun, with at least 400 job losses and 400 positions transferred to Novus, though implementation paused pending legal challenges from competitors like Caxton, who argued the deal reduced media diversity and competition. Courts dismissed urgent bids to halt the transaction by January 2025, though appeals continued into late 2025, with the Competition Appeal Court set to review. These efforts contributed to Media24 reporting a full-year for the period ending March 2025, attributed to revenue drops and expenses, as the company accelerated its .

Adoption of AI and Digital Innovation

In 2025, Media24 accelerated its transition to a digital-first model by closing print editions of major titles including Daily Sun, Beeld, City Press, and , redirecting resources toward online platforms and -enhanced operations to sustain audience reach amid declining viability. This shift, led by News24 publisher Jerusha Raath since her October 2024 appointment, emphasized paywalled digital content, achieving 110,000 subscribers and 8 million monthly users for News24, with 80% of paywalled material consumed by paying audiences. Daily Sun similarly reported 1.5 million monthly digital users post-closure, underscoring the viability of -supported over legacy logistics. Media24 established an lab in 2025 to integrate journalists with data scientists for testing and developing tools tailored to workflows, complemented by the appointment of a dedicated head of and company-wide generative training programs. These efforts leveraged a Group-wide generative assistant, enabling rapid deployment across newsrooms, sales, and commercial studios while enforcing editorial and commercial policies to mitigate risks like inaccuracies. A flagship application, Match24—an -driven contextual advertising platform modeled after ' approach—was launched to match ads with relevant content, demonstrating improved engagement and conversion rates through iterative testing. Under Charlene Rolls, appointed head of accelerated adoption, Media24 focused on productivity gains from experimentation, evolving from print-centric editing to tools that streamline and operations. Complementing this, 24.com hosted its inaugural hackathon on July 25, 2024, yielding innovative prototypes through collaborative coding and creativity, which informed broader product enhancements. These initiatives positioned Media24 to balance subscription revenue with -optimized , fostering resilience in a competitive .

Controversies and Criticisms

Historical Apartheid Associations

Media24, established in 1994 as the print media subsidiary of (formerly Nasionale Pers), inherited associations with apartheid-era support through its parent company's longstanding role in promoting and National Party policies. , founded in 1915 to advance Afrikaner cultural and political interests, published newspapers such as Die Burger and Die Transvaler that aligned closely with the regime after the National Party's 1948 election victory. These outlets disseminated propaganda justifying racial segregation, separate development policies, and state security measures, while editors like —later prime minister and architect of grand —shaped editorial lines at Die Transvaler to endorse the system's ideological foundations. Naspers publications formed part of the apartheid power structure, with editors granted access to National Party caucus meetings and their content actively fostering white supremacist sentiments while marginalizing anti-apartheid voices. This alignment extended to suppressing coverage of regime atrocities and promoting narratives that rationalized forced removals, pass laws, and Bantu education, contributing to the entrenchment of racial hierarchies from 1948 until the system's dismantling in the early 1990s. In 1997, journalists publicly apologized to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, admitting their newspapers' complicity in upholding through biased reporting and ideological reinforcement. Post-, Media24 and confronted this legacy amid calls for accountability, including demands for reparations from apartheid victims' groups. In July 2015, Media24 CEO Esmaré Weideman issued a formal apology, stating the company acknowledged its "complicity in a morally indefensible political regime" and expressing regret for the harm inflicted on denied dignity under . This acknowledgment highlighted ' evolution from regime mouthpiece to a diversified media entity, though critics argue it has not fully addressed ongoing socioeconomic disparities linked to that era.

Circulation Irregularities and Ethical Lapses

In October 2007, Media24 disclosed that circulation figures for 12 of its magazine titles had been falsified, marking a significant breach in reporting practices that undermined advertiser trust and prompted regulatory suspension. The irregularities involved misstatements of sales data, which evaded both internal controls and external audits conducted by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC). This revelation followed an initial ABC routine verification on August 16, 2007, which identified a lack of proof of delivery for certain issues among women's magazine titles, leading Media24 to commission a comprehensive forensic audit by ENS Forensic across its 60 magazine portfolio. The audit uncovered deliberate manipulations, including inflated sales numbers previously noted in other Media24 titles, resulting in the suspending all 12 affected publications from its certified reports. Nine employees were implicated, facing internal disciplinary charges for or direct involvement, with four resigning, three dismissed, and potential criminal prosecution considered for their roles in the scheme. A subsequent 2008 ABC-ordered expansion of the probe revealed additional overstatements in further titles, compounding the ethical fallout from what was described as one of the company's most damaging episodes. Media24's response included senior accountability measures, such as holding executives responsible, though critics questioned the depth of oversight failures that allowed such discrepancies to persist undetected. The Magazine Publishers Association of (MPASA) condemned the lapses but acknowledged Media24's initiation of the forensic review and internal reforms as steps toward remediation. These events highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in circulation verification processes within 's print media sector, eroding credibility in self-reported data and prompting broader industry scrutiny of audit integrity.

Workplace Allegations and Editorial Disputes

In July 2024, former News24 Mihlali Ntsabo publicly accused Media24 of fostering a environment, alleging , , and inadequate response to his complaints. Ntsabo specifically implicated Adriaan Basson, editor Nokuthula Manyathi, and deputy editor Bertram Malgas, claiming Manyathi misreported his work hours as sick leave, disregarded his medical needs during stress-related hospitalization, and created hostility, while Basson ignored repeated complaints via texts, emails, and meetings. Media24 spokesperson Egbert de Waal stated that all employee claims are investigated with and support, but declined further comment citing confidentiality. In August 2022, Media24 suspended two senior City Press journalists pending an internal probe into alleged breaches of its code of , the Press Code, and attempts to extort money from a story subject, prompting the South African National Editors' Forum to welcome the investigation into potential ethical lapses. The suspensions, announced on August 30, related to reporting on President , with the journalists later claiming editorial interference and lack of evidence or a formal complainant. Media24 CEO Ishmet Davidson emphasized that journalistic integrity is non-negotiable, and the probe concluded on October 7, 2022, finding no misconduct and lifting the suspensions. The two journalists subsequently filed a against Media24 in 2023, seeking R800,000 and alleging malicious suspension without basis, which damaged their reputations. Media24 confirmed receipt of the claim, stated it is defending the case, and reiterated that the initial action followed reports of misconduct, though the investigation cleared the pair. Allegations of by former Media24 executive Breytenbach, employed from 1995 to 2014, emerged in 2019, including the 1997 of and assaults on 16 men, some during his tenure. Breytenbach pleaded guilty in December 2024 to seven counts of and three of , receiving an effective five-year prison sentence on December 9, 2024. Media24 and parent expressed shock, stated no prior complaints were recorded, and committed to cooperating with authorities. A 2004 Cape High Court ruling held and Media24 accountable for failing to prevent workplace , establishing potential for substantial damages against employers in such cases.

Recent Merger and Closure Conflicts

In June 2024, Media24 announced plans to discontinue the print editions of four major newspapers—Beeld, , City Press, and Daily Sun—effective September 30, 2024, citing unsustainable print economics including declining advertising revenue and rising distribution costs, as part of a broader shift to digital operations. This restructuring initially threatened around 800 jobs across print and logistics, though Media24 later committed to retaining 66 journalists from the affected titles for its digital platforms like News24. The closures were intertwined with a proposed to sell Media24's media logistics arm, On the Dot, and its community newspaper portfolio—including titles like Soccer Laduma and Kick Off—to Novus Holdings, a competitor in and . The South African approved the deal on October 31, 2024, imposing conditions such as preferential rehiring of retrenched Media24 employees by Novus and commitments to maintain certain capacities, after finding no significant anti-competitive effects. Following approval, Media24 proceeded with the asset sales and print wind-downs, which contributed to a 17% decline for the ending March 2025, primarily from shrinking print operations. Competitors Caxton and Capital Newspapers mounted legal challenges against the Commission's approval, arguing it overlooked factors such as job losses, reduced media plurality, and the effective closure of titles under the guise of a merger, potentially harming South Africa's . In December 2024, the Competition Appeal Court reserved judgment on an sought by Capital Newspapers, which contended that internal Media24 documents evidenced a premeditated closure strategy bypassing scrutiny. By September 2025, the court ruled in favor of Media24 and Novus, dismissing further challenges to the On the Dot sale and affirming the transaction's compliance, though Caxton's broader restructuring dispute extended into late 2025 hearings. These conflicts highlighted tensions between Media24's pivot—driven by empirical declines in viability—and critics' concerns over concentrated and impacts in a sector already facing .

Societal Impact and Reception

Market Dominance and Influence

Media24 maintains a commanding presence in South Africa's media sector, historically dominating print publishing with titles such as Die Burger, Rapport, City Press, and Daily Sun, alongside over 60 magazines including Huisgenoot and Sarie. As the country's largest publisher, printer, and distributor, it accounts for the distribution of approximately 90% of paid-for newspapers and magazines to more than 10,000 retail outlets nationwide. This scale has positioned Media24 as a key gatekeeper in traditional media dissemination, particularly in Afrikaans-language markets where its outlets reach millions of readers weekly. In the digital realm, Media24's News24 platform leads as South Africa's most trusted digital news source, topping Institute rankings for utility and reliability among online consumers as of 2025. The company reported digital growth offsetting print declines, with News24 attracting over 10 million monthly unique users and driving ad sales through integrated verticals in news, , and commerce. However, broader industry pressures, including and Meta's capture of 97% of digital advertising spend in , have eroded traditional streams, prompting Media24 to close most print editions by October 2024 and report a 17% overall drop to R2.58 billion in its 2025 fiscal year. Media24's influence shapes national discourse, especially in conservative and regional narratives via titles that command high engagement in and audiences. Its pivot to AI-enhanced and ecommerce integrations, such as book and classifieds, sustains reach amid fragmentation, though critics note concentrated ownership risks amplifying editorial slants in a landscape with limited competition from independents. Regulatory scrutiny, including reviews of past mergers, underscores concerns over its outsized role in curbing diverse viewpoints.

Achievements in Media Innovation

Media24 pioneered digital news delivery in with the launch of News24 in October 1998, establishing it as a leading online platform under ownership. By 2018, the company had advanced into and applications, introducing News24 Edge—a personalized news app that earned recognition as the world's top mobile news service from the World Publishing Expo and WAN-IFRA. Complementary tools like Daily Kick and Sliced enhanced user engagement, with News24 app users averaging 19 minutes daily and Netwerk24 app users 21 minutes, contributing to a 73% subscription growth for Netwerk24. In , Media24's Spree platform debuted Africa's first AI-powered image search functionality for fashion retail, improving personalization and . The company secured 21 Bookmark Awards that year, including the Black Pixel for best digital publisher, alongside accolades for investigative projects like #GuptaLeaks, which won the Journalist of the Year and Taco Kuiper Award. Internationally, the app was named best news and entertainment app at the AppsAfrica Innovation Awards. More recently, Media24 accelerated its by closing print editions of major titles like Beeld, , and Daily Sun in 2024 to prioritize digital-first strategies. In 2025, under CEO Jerusha Raath, it established an AI lab, launched AI training programs for staff, and integrated AI tools for , enhancing efficiency amid declining print revenues. Daily Sun's adoption of new digital tools and skills earned it Publisher of the Year at the 2025 Bookmark Awards, with additional golds for video content innovation. These efforts have positioned News24 as South Africa's most trusted news brand for seven consecutive years, with an 81% trust score and top weekly reach.

Debates on Bias, Diversity, and Competition

Media24, as South Africa's largest print and publisher, has faced accusations of editorial primarily from political actors and competitors, though independent assessments rate its flagship News24 outlet as minimally biased with high factual accuracy. In 2025, the South African Agricultural Implementation Agency (SAAI) lodged a complaint with the Press Council alleging in News24's coverage of agricultural issues, claiming the reporting reflected preconceived views and lacked ; News24 countered that such complaints often stem from disagreement with factual reporting rather than evidence of systemic slant. Broader critiques, including from a 2025 study on factional journalism, have pointed to perceived favoritism in Media24's outlets toward certain political narratives, with former insiders noting uneven coverage in rival publications but confirming similar tendencies across South African media conglomerates like Media24 and . However, evaluated News24 in 2023 as "Least Biased" due to balanced sourcing and minimal , contrasting with anecdotal claims from online forums and political figures who accuse it of urban or pro-establishment leanings without empirical substantiation. Incidents like News24's 2024 retraction of unsubstantiated allegations against Jan Braai highlight occasional errors but also corrective mechanisms, underscoring debates over whether such lapses indicate or standard journalistic fallibility. Diversity debates have centered on Media24's literary awards and broader content representation, particularly racial demographics in a post-apartheid context. In June 2020, the Media24 Books Literary Awards drew sharp criticism for awarding all six categories to white authors and featuring predominantly white judging panels, prompting accusations of perpetuating exclusionary practices; the company issued an apology, admitting the oversight and committing to diversified panels in future iterations. Critics, including literary organizations, argued this reflected systemic underrepresentation of black South African voices in Media24's book imprints, though the awards' focus on and English titles—historically dominated by certain demographics—complicates causal claims of intentional versus market realities. More recently, in 2024 merger disputes over closing regional newspapers, competitors like Capital Newspapers alleged that Media24's consolidations erode media diversity by concentrating ownership and sidelining community-specific voices, potentially reducing pluralism in underserved areas reliant on . Media24 defended these moves as economically necessary amid declining circulations, but the episode fueled discussions on whether dominant players like ' subsidiary prioritize profitability over equitable representation. Competition concerns have revolved around Media24's market dominance, with antitrust scrutiny highlighting predatory tactics in regional markets. In 2010, Media24's Forum community in was accused by the of below-cost pricing to undercut rival Estoire, leading to the competitor's closure and Media24's acquisition of a local ; the Tribunal in 2015 ruled the conduct exclusionary and anticompetitive but not predatory under the Competition Act's average threshold, a decision upheld by the in 2018 and in 2019. Despite the legal acquittal on , the case exemplified debates over Media24's 40-50% share of South Africa's and magazine markets, enabling alleged foreclosure of entrants through scale advantages in and . Critics, including GroundUp in 2015, argued such strategies stifle voices, while Media24 maintained that free-market dynamics, not abuse, drove outcomes in a sector plagued by digital disruption and falling ad revenues. Ongoing consolidations, such as proposed mergers in 2024, have reignited calls for regulatory intervention to preserve competitive pluralism, though empirical data shows Media24's dominance correlating with rather than proven .

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