Closure Overview
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Publication: City Press (iconic South African Sunday newspaper, founded in 1982)
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Duration: 44 years
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Final digital edition: 10 May 2026
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Reason cited by Media24: Digital model failed to meet expectations due to declining ad revenue and shift to social media
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Context: Followed print edition closure in December 2024
What Happened
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Media24 (owned by Naspers) began staff consultations in late February 2026
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City Press had gone digital-only after its last print edition on 22 December 2024
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Digital operations could not be sustained
Why It Closed
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Falling circulation
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Advertising revenue moving online
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Intense competition from social platforms
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As a digital newsroom inside News24, City Press “did not meet our expectations” (Media24)
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Similar print closures in 2024: Beeld, Rapport, Daily Sun, Volksblad
Legacy
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Launched: March 1982
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Reputation: Fearless anti-apartheid voice (e.g., editor Percy Qoboza)
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Exposed state violence, covered major stories (e.g., arms deal)
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Peak circulation: above 200,000 copies
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Trusted source for generations during and after apartheid
Reaction from Bantu Holomisa (Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans)
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Paid tribute on X: “batted well during your innings”
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Noted social media (“everybody had suddenly became a journalist”) made life difficult for print media
Impact on South African Journalism
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~19 editorial jobs lost
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Weakens independent voices in a consolidating media landscape
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SANEF (South African National Editors’ Forum) called for mourning job losses and concerns over media diversity
Next Steps
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Media24: Integrating remaining content and staff into News24 where possible
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Readers & journalists: Reflecting on preserving investigative reporting amid digital disruption
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Industry stakeholders: Pushing for sustainable models to support quality journalism
