Reconsidering the History of South African Journalism: The Ghost of the Slave Press (1) (Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Africa)

Synopsis

The concept of the “free press” is often celebrated as the vehicle which finally brought freedom of speech and democracy to post-apartheid South Africa, but historically, the position of the press was more complicated.This book dives into the history of slavery at the Cape between 1800 and 1838, reflecting on the fact that several founding journalists and printers were slave owners themselves and advertised slaves as regular “property” in their publications. The book presents an inclusive history of the founding of colonial newspapers and magazines, driven by the question of how we in the 21st century should make sense of the role that newspapers and journalism played at key points in the history of slavery and its aftermath. The “slave press” was a label originally attached to The Cape Town Gazette and African Advertiser when it was founded by a pair of well-connected private British slave traders.This book challenges us to confront the ghost of the slave press, and to consider the complicated history of press freedom in South Africa. This important book will be of interest to scholars and students of journalism and media history, in South Africa and beyond.

Copyright:

2025

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

Book Size:

308 Pages

ISBN-13:

9781040310564

Related ISBNs:

9781040310526, 9781003585077, 9781032954714

Publisher:

Taylor & Francis

Date of Addition:

03/21/25

Copyrighted By:

Gawie Botma

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction, Social Studies, Language Arts, Communication

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.