What future lies ahead for public service media in an era of digital transformation? In Johannesburg, media, civil society and advocacy stakeholders spent two days exploring this question during the third edition of the Public Service Media Symposium. Discussions focused in particular on funding, governance, editorial independence, digital transformation and the advocacy strategies needed to strengthen public service media across Southern Africa.
Organized on 8 and 9 September 2026 in Johannesburg by the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), the symposium was held under the theme “Strengthening Public Service Media’s Digital Future and Advocacy.”
The first day focused on South Africa, particularly the challenges facing the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Sustainable funding, institutional governance, editorial independence and adaptation to a media environment profoundly reshaped by digitalization were among the key issues discussed. However, these challenges extend beyond South Africa. Public service media must now navigate new audience habits, the proliferation of digital platforms and changing patterns of information consumption.
A Regional Perspective on Southern Africa
The second day broadened the discussion to several countries across the region, with contributions from Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe. This regional perspective highlighted common challenges facing public media systems while opening discussions on opportunities for cooperation and experience-sharing.
Beyond digital transformation, participants also examined the ability of public service media to preserve their public-interest mandate in environments where business models, media practices and audience expectations are evolving rapidly.
Five Areas for Stronger Advocacy
The symposium concluded with the adoption of a PSM Symposium Statement, conceived as a living document to support future advocacy efforts for public service media across the region.
The document identifies five key areas of focus: developing national public service media reform agendas; establishing effective advocacy models; strengthening strategic litigation and legal advocacy; developing regional collaboration mechanisms; improving coordination of advocacy efforts across Southern Africa. The stated objective is to move beyond identifying challenges towards a more coordinated approach among the various stakeholders involved.
Digital Transformation Is More Than Technology
The relevance of the symposium for media and communication professionals also lies in the way it connects digital transformation with institutional transformation. Adapting public service media to the digital environment is not simply about developing new formats or expanding onto social media. The discussions in Johannesburg placed this evolution within a broader set of issues, including funding, governance, editorial independence, legal frameworks and the ability to sustainably defend the public service mission.
The symposium therefore offers another perspective on the transformation of public media: one that considers models, institutions and media policies alongside technology. The SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition intends to continue this reflection through its reference document, presented as a working framework that will evolve through continued dialogue among stakeholders across the region.
