Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Die Suid-Afrikaanse pers — 'n magtige instelling/ (The South African press — a powerful institution)

1982; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 3; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/02560054.1982.9652903

1942-0773

Marais Viljoen,

Discourse Analysis in Language Studies

During the preceding two decades - during the sixties and seventies of the nineteenth century - the South African Press has developed into a powerful organ of public and political opinion. In the turbulent political climate prevalent at that time, the language resorted to in reports on speeches and in leading articles was very severe compared to what we are used to today. The result was that editors were frequently involved in libel actions and they had to cope with threats and intimidation. This state of affairs led to voices being raised in Cape Town, the Eastern Cape and also the Transvaal for the establishment of a body which could represent all South African newspapers, irrespective of language or political outlook, and which would promote and protect the business and technical interests of newspaper publishers. To this day, the Newspaper Press Union (NPU) still represents the whole of the industry, not only the major Afrikaans and English language Press groups with their predominantly metropolitan newspapers, but also the provincial and country Press, as well as a large number of consumer magazines and trade, technical and professional journals. Most publications directed at a Black readership are also members.