Michael Markovitz

Finding our People at CTRL+J Africa A Johannesburg gathering that confronted narratives, sovereignty, and the hard questions for journalism’s future

Reflections on our #ctrljafrica event, where African regulators, global digital platforms, civil society, media publishers, journalists, govt, content creators & ‘newsfluencers’ met. We had 121 participants from 23 countries, with 41 out 47 speakers from Africa & strong rep rom Brazil & Indonesia.

CTRL+J Africa YouTube video by GIBS Business School

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...

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...

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!

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

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.

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...

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

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'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.

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

Why defending information integrity should be a global priority for South Africa M20 programme to elevate media issues on regional and international agendas

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

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...

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.

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.

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...

On World Press Freedom Day: Why Media Leadership Matters New executive programme is a direct response to market crisis in media and journalism

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

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...

It’s time MPs investigated the Jewish Chronicle’s secret ownership Britain’s longest-standing Jewish newspaper has refused to run an advert criticising Benjamin Netanyahu. The case raises more questions about the pape...

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...

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...

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/...

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...

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...

Update: Court Blocks Analogue Switch-Off — Again "ASO would deliver a killer punch to SABC" and cause "irreparable harm"

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...

Monopoly+ Will the Canal+ takeover of MultiChoice sail through unchecked?

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.

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

A Broken Promise: The Failure of South Africa’s Digital Migration Nine Years On, Digital Terrestrial Television Remains South Africa’s Smallest Broadcast Network

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...

A Broken Promise: The Failure of South Africa’s Digital Migration Nine Years On, Digital Terrestrial Television Remains South Africa’s Smallest Broadcast Network

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...

If you worked for 18F and got fired, Group together to start a consulting company.

It’s just a matter of time before DOGE needs you to fix the mess they inevitably create.

They will have to hire your company as a contractor to fix it. But on your terms.

I’m happy to invest and/or help

SA targets Big Tech's market power in media inquiry report - TechCentral The Competition Commission's provisional report into Big Tech and South African news media, published on Monday, moves beyond the typical pay-for-harm model.

Opinion | The Competition Commission’s provisional report into Big Tech and South African news media, published on Monday, moves beyond the typical pay-for-harm model, writes @michaelmarkovitz.bsky.social.

I heart Tina Smith.

One of the largest African media gatherings on the continent opening in Nairobi this morning #AMF2025

Beyond Compensation: Reshaping the Digital News Economy SA’s Competition Commission pushes for fairer digital markets

Launched on 24 February 2025 in Johannesburg, this is the most significant report to date from an independent Global South regulator taking on Big Tech and AI’s impact on news. My opinion piece 👇

Global Assault on Public Interest Journalism and the Fight for Digital Sovereignty Industrial-scale misinformation about South Africa's laws on land and black empowerment

My piece has been updated to take into account the Competition Commission’s announcement today that their provisional report on Media and Digital Platforms will be released on 24 February 2025.

Global Assault on Public Interest Journalism and Fight for Digital Sovereignty Industrial-scale misinformation about South Africa's laws on land and black empowerment

My latest piece:
With Trump’s unfounded & bizarre executive order still ringing in our ears, it may seem quaint that SA's media sector is eagerly awaiting the Competition Commission’s Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry provisional report. More 👇
michaelmarkovitz.substack.com/p/global-ass...

My Substack piece was re-published by @dailymaverick.co.za today 🙏

www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/...

#digitalsovereignty #publicinterest #competitionlaw #BigTech #AI #journalism #executiveorder