Targeted investments to support the South African news industry
The way people find and consume news has fundamentally shifted. Consumer habits have evolved, and a new generation of creators and publishers is influencing how people engage with information and follow stories.
Helping the news industry adapt to the digital age is a shared responsibility. It requires innovation from publishers, a broad-based approach from the wider industry and government, and contributions from multiple platforms - not just Google.
Following engagement with the South African Competition Commission and industry stakeholders, we are implementing a five-year support plan for the South African news industry. This approach is consistent with our support for news partners around the world and will be tailored for the country’s unique and multilingual news ecosystem.
At a high level the plan includes:
- Targeted investments through the Digital News Transformation Fund and existing programmes like Google News Showcase.
- Investment in AI-driven innovation for news.
- Foundational training for journalists and newsrooms including support in South Africa’s vernacular languages.
- Introducing global features, such as Preferred Sources in Search, which lets users customize their experience in Top Stories to select and follow their favorite sites.
We believe ensuring a vibrant future for South African journalism is a collective challenge. While we are committed to doing our part, long-term success will depend on broader industry cooperation, support from other digital platforms, and the ongoing agility of newsrooms to adapt to the evolving landscape.
