Sandra Gordon

Reflecting on five years of reportage on the media industry is a challenge, writes <i>The Media</i> publisher Sandra Gordon, who launched the magazine in October 2002. She wonders what needs to be emphasised and what can simply be discarded as non-events in an industry that carries massive significance as the fourth estate.

Ferial Haffajee says it comes at no surprise that President Thabo Mbeki is ending his term railing at the media.

Two of the most pernicious barriers to entry in the magazine publishing market are distribution to retailers and a lack of merchandising expertise. Publishers say these seriously hamper aspiring entrepreneurs and are slowly concentrating power among the two media owners that control print and distribution in South Africa.