COM3716 Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026 (Answer Guide)
MEDIA INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
COM3716: MEDIA INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE .............................................. 2
ASSIGNMENT 01: TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION, CULTURAL IMPERIALISM
AND THE DANGERS OF FAKE NEWS ............................................................................................ 2
1.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY ................................... 2
1.2.1 Technological threats to City Press .................................................................................. 3
1.2.2 Opportunities and survival strategies created by technology ................................... 4
1.2.3 The digital divide and the technological transformation of City Press ................... 5
1.3 CULTURAL IMPERIALISM IN THE DIGITAL AGE ...................................................................... 5
1.3.1 Cultural imperialism and its impact on South African culture ....................................... 5
1.3.2 Streaming platforms and cultural imperialism ................................................................... 6
1.3.3 Policy recommendations for promoting African languages and cultures.................. 7
1.5 THE DANGERS OF FAKE NEWS ................................................................................................... 8
1.5.1 Main points made in the prescribed video .......................................................................... 8
1.5.2 Using Africa Check's media-literacy resources to identify fake news ........................ 9
1.5.3 A recent example of fake news in South Africa ................................................................. 9
1.5.4 Why fake news is dangerous to society and elections .................................................. 10
1.6 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 11
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Addenda to include with the final submission .............................................................................. 12
, COM3716: MEDIA INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE
ASSIGNMENT 01: TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION, CULTURAL
IMPERIALISM AND THE DANGERS OF FAKE NEWS
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The contemporary media industry is undergoing significant transformation as digital
technologies reshape how media content is produced, distributed and consumed. The
development of the internet, smartphones, social media, streaming platforms and
artificial intelligence has created new opportunities for media institutions while
simultaneously challenging traditional forms of communication. The transformation is
particularly evident in the decline of conventional print media as audiences increasingly
access news through digital platforms. At the same time, the expansion of global digital
platforms has intensified debates about cultural imperialism, particularly concerning the
representation and visibility of African cultures and languages. The digital environment
has also contributed to the rapid circulation of misinformation and fake news, creating
challenges for public trust and democratic processes. The study guide emphasises that
technological developments have transformed media industries while also influencing
culture, power, democracy and society (UNISA, 2026). This assignment therefore
examines technological transformation in the print-media industry, cultural imperialism
in the digital age, and the dangers of fake news, with particular attention to their
implications for South Africa.
1.2 TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY
Technological transformation has fundamentally changed the structure and operation of
the media industry. Digitalisation has altered traditional patterns of media production,
distribution and consumption, creating an environment in which audiences can access
news and other media products through smartphones, websites, social-media platforms
and streaming services. The study guide explains that media industries are shaped by
technological, economic, political and social factors, meaning that technological change
cannot be understood separately from broader transformations within society (UNISA,
MEDIA INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
COM3716: MEDIA INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE .............................................. 2
ASSIGNMENT 01: TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION, CULTURAL IMPERIALISM
AND THE DANGERS OF FAKE NEWS ............................................................................................ 2
1.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY ................................... 2
1.2.1 Technological threats to City Press .................................................................................. 3
1.2.2 Opportunities and survival strategies created by technology ................................... 4
1.2.3 The digital divide and the technological transformation of City Press ................... 5
1.3 CULTURAL IMPERIALISM IN THE DIGITAL AGE ...................................................................... 5
1.3.1 Cultural imperialism and its impact on South African culture ....................................... 5
1.3.2 Streaming platforms and cultural imperialism ................................................................... 6
1.3.3 Policy recommendations for promoting African languages and cultures.................. 7
1.5 THE DANGERS OF FAKE NEWS ................................................................................................... 8
1.5.1 Main points made in the prescribed video .......................................................................... 8
1.5.2 Using Africa Check's media-literacy resources to identify fake news ........................ 9
1.5.3 A recent example of fake news in South Africa ................................................................. 9
1.5.4 Why fake news is dangerous to society and elections .................................................. 10
1.6 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 11
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Addenda to include with the final submission .............................................................................. 12
, COM3716: MEDIA INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE
ASSIGNMENT 01: TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION, CULTURAL
IMPERIALISM AND THE DANGERS OF FAKE NEWS
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The contemporary media industry is undergoing significant transformation as digital
technologies reshape how media content is produced, distributed and consumed. The
development of the internet, smartphones, social media, streaming platforms and
artificial intelligence has created new opportunities for media institutions while
simultaneously challenging traditional forms of communication. The transformation is
particularly evident in the decline of conventional print media as audiences increasingly
access news through digital platforms. At the same time, the expansion of global digital
platforms has intensified debates about cultural imperialism, particularly concerning the
representation and visibility of African cultures and languages. The digital environment
has also contributed to the rapid circulation of misinformation and fake news, creating
challenges for public trust and democratic processes. The study guide emphasises that
technological developments have transformed media industries while also influencing
culture, power, democracy and society (UNISA, 2026). This assignment therefore
examines technological transformation in the print-media industry, cultural imperialism
in the digital age, and the dangers of fake news, with particular attention to their
implications for South Africa.
1.2 TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY
Technological transformation has fundamentally changed the structure and operation of
the media industry. Digitalisation has altered traditional patterns of media production,
distribution and consumption, creating an environment in which audiences can access
news and other media products through smartphones, websites, social-media platforms
and streaming services. The study guide explains that media industries are shaped by
technological, economic, political and social factors, meaning that technological change
cannot be understood separately from broader transformations within society (UNISA,
