** The digital revolution and its repercussions: an analysis of the relationship between Big Tech and the local media in South Africa **
At the heart of the South African media landscape, a storm is looming on the horizon: the fight of local media in the face of the ancestry of technological giants such as Google and Meta. A recent study by the South African Competition Commission raises crucial questions about anti-competitive practices and the impact that this has on the country’s journalistic ecosystem. However, beyond the facts exposed, this article proposes to explore angles often neglected in the debate on the dependence of the media with regard to digital platforms.
### A shaken economy: the figures speak
The increased dependence of local media with regard to digital income is not an isolated phenomenon. According to estimates, Google extracted between R300 million and R500 million value of South African publishers in 2023 alone, largely because of its monopolistic power in online research. But what is the real impact on the diversity of voices? The figures do not lie: the rate of closure of small editors and community media has increased by 30 % in the last decade, resulting in disturbing erosion of the plurality of opinions.
### Technology as a double -edged sword
Google and Meta algorithms, used to favor certain content compared to others, are not simply optimization tools: they shape our perception of reality. A recent study has shown that 70 % of social media uses struggle to discriminate the reliable content of fallacious content, a phenomenon exacerbated by algorithmic choices promoting sensationalism. This mechanism has not only weakened public confidence in the media, but has also favored a culture of disinformation which threatens the integrity of any democratic system.
### to a compensation model: a lasting solution?
The Commission proposed compensation measures to mitigate the economic imbalance in favor of large platforms. If these proposals are applied, they could cause an economic turning point for the independent media. The establishment of a support fund funded by a percentage of advertising revenues from digital giants could allow writing to find a certain autonomy, while promoting innovation and expansion of local media.
However, this approach raises fundamental questions about the nature of compensation. To which economic model should turn fatshimetrics and its peers to ensure their sustainability in a constantly evolving landscape? Innovations such as journalism based on subscription or sponsored content could be envisaged as alternative routes. The example of certain media in Europe, which have managed to diversify their sources of income, could serve as an inspiring model.
### Big Tech ethical responsibility
Beyond economic issues, it is essential to examine the ethical responsibility of tech companies. In response to growing criticism of their influence, some companies are starting to explore transparency initiatives. For example, Meta recently launched a program to offer more context on how its algorithms work, but critical reflections on their effectiveness remain necessary.
Local media, such as Fatshimetrics, must not only adapt to these changes, but also claim their place in the debate on digital ethics. The promotion of responsible journalism models could not only restore public confidence, but also encourage tech giants to act accordingly.
### Conclusion: a necessary synergy
The confrontation between local media and digital giants in South Africa is not only a fight for economic survival: it is a fight for the very soul of information within society. The outcome of this battle will depend on the ability of the actors concerned to unite to claim greater equity, to reform obsolete practices and to rotate towards resilient economic models. The transformation advocated by the Competition Commission could then become an opportunity to revitalize the South African media landscape, thus paying tribute to the richness and diversity of local accounts.
In this digital age, it is imperative to not only resist change, but to embrace it, by reinventing what it means to be a media engaged in a community. This collaboration could be the key to strengthening not only the media sector, but all of South African civil society.