Reconsidering the History of South African Journalism: The Ghost of the Slave Press – A book written by Associate Professor Gawie Botma

Department of Journalism

07 April 2025

Gawie Botma’s new book, Reconsidering the History of South African Journalism, challenges the "liberation" narrative of the early press. He reveals how 19th-century newspapers were tied to the slave economy, urging a rethink of media’s colonial legacy and its historical accountability.

Reconsidering Journalism’s Origins: A Critical Historical Intervention

Gawie Botma’s Reconsidering the History of South African Journalism challenges conventional views of early South African press freedom by revealing its deep ties to slavery. Focusing on the period from 1800 to 1838, Botma shows how early newspapers, such as The Cape Town Gazette and African Advertiser, were complicit in supporting and sustaining the colonial slave economy.

By investigating ideological and economic aspects of the early press industry, the book challenges the traditional view which positions journalism’s origins within discourses of liberation. This critical historical intervention invites scholars and readers to rethink the legacy of journalism through the lens of colonial complicity, offering fresh insights into ongoing debates around media freedom and historical accountability.

Please find the link to the book below:
https://www.routledge.com/Reconsidering-the-History-of-South-African-Journalism-The-Ghost-of-the-Slave-Press/Botma/p/book/9781032954714