In another major shift within South Africa’s media landscape, Media24 has confirmed the closure of City Press, bringing an end to one of the country’s most influential news brands.
The decision was announced on Friday following the publication’s struggle to sustain itself as a digital-only platform after the discontinuation of its print edition in December 2024.
From Anti-Apartheid Voice To Media Powerhouse
City Press was founded in 1982 by Jim Bailey at the height of apartheid, with a clear mission to serve black readers who were largely excluded from mainstream media platforms. The newspaper quickly earned credibility for its fearless journalism and in-depth political reporting, becoming a significant voice in South Africa’s evolving democracy.
In 1984, the title was acquired by Naspers, the parent company of Media24.
During its peak in the early 2000s, City Press dominated the Sunday newspaper market with circulation figures surpassing 233,000 copies. However, like many traditional publications worldwide, it was heavily affected by the steady decline in print readership. By the time the final print edition was released on 22 December 2024, circulation had dropped to approximately 14,000.
Digital Transition Falls Short
Following the end of its print operations, City Press was incorporated into News24 as part of a strategy to reposition the brand as a premium digital-first newsroom.
Media24 leadership had hoped the move would revive the publication’s fortunes, but the digital model did not deliver the expected results. CEO Minette Ferreira confirmed that consultations with staff have commenced with the intention of closing the newsroom, citing underperformance within the digital structure.
Jobs At Risk Amid Restructuring
The closure places more than two dozen positions at risk. Media24 has indicated that it will undertake a formal consultation process and attempt to limit job losses by absorbing affected employees into other divisions of the business where possible.
Part Of Broader Industry Retrenchment
The shutdown of City Press forms part of a wider restructuring effort by Media24. In late 2024, the company discontinued the print editions of other longstanding titles, including Beeld, Rapport and Daily Sun. At the time, the group warned that continuing print operations could result in projected losses of around R200 million over three years.
The closure of City Press marks the end of an era for a publication that once shaped national conversation, underscoring the mounting financial and structural pressures facing traditional media in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
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