Millions of our countrymen seem to share our view. It is our estimation that if an election was held tomorrow for South Africa's journalists, most of you would lose your deposits. This is evident in the falling circulations of many newspapers. In cancelling their subscriptions and switching off, the people of South Africa are sending a crucial message to our mass media owners and those who work in the mass media, a message which the media shall ignore at its own peril. Consequently, it is true that journalists live or die by the support of their followers.
Publications thrive or whither upon the altar of their critical readers.
Nevertheless, the rainbow of our nation instructs us that not all is gloom. We wish them well in their strive to maintain the silk quality of independence. And it is no coincidence that the readership and viewership of these products continues to increase. There are also, in our view, numerous quality journalist who write, record and film in newsrooms in various parts of the country - people who carry forth the tradition of the heroes of 19 October 1977, such as Percy Qoboza. The challenge is to have these excellent journalists being the rule rather than the exception.