Monyane, CheteleGqeba, Samkelo2024-07-192024-07-192024http://hdl.handle.net/11660/12690Dissertation (M.A.(Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2024This study focused on the role of community media in promoting accountability in local government with specific reference to Chris Hani District Municipality. The lack of accountability and good governance in municipalities is a major contributing factor in the deterioration of governance. Local citizens especially the poor are the most affected, as they rely on government services. An effective accountability and citizen participation ecosystem is an essential factor that give local communities assurance that local governance and resources are used efficiently and not abused. This study investigated whether Chris Hani District Municipality is promoting accountability and good governance using community media outlets. The study utilised a desktop approach data collection method in which existing pre-published information from secondary sources, such as municipal reports, local government legislations, community media legislations, relevant books, academic reports, news articles and statutory reports. The findings of the study revealed that Chris Hani District Municipality is utilising community media to communicate and engage local communities on municipal programmes and activities. The findings also revealed that Chris Hani District Municipality’s Communication and Public Participation Strategy was not effective in achieving its objective of fostering a culture of transparency and accountability and to promote effective access to information. The findings further revealed that the strategy lacks coherence as most of the municipal communication activities were reactive and centred around municipal leadership. The findings have shown that Chris Hani District Municipality’s public participation and communications programmes are not effective as local community citizens regularly embark on service protests to air their frustration on the mismanagement of the municipality. Lastly the study investigated challenges faced by community media in Chris Hani District Municipality in their quest to promote accountability and good governance. It is evident from the literature review that an effective community media can make a meaningful contribution in fostering a culture of good governance to curb corruption and maladministration. However, the study found that Vukani Community Radio Station and The Rep community Newspaper are facing several challenges that hampered their ability to perform their watchdog mandate. The study concluded that community media outlets are a vital tool that can contribute to increase transparency and accountability in decision-making processes and to communicate the principles of good governance in local government. Lastly, several recommendations have been made regarding the enhancement of the role of community media in promoting good governance in local government. They range from reviewing local government legislation, community media capacity building mechanisms and revenue generative methods.enDissertationUniversity of the Free State