AIP Announces the Appointment of Dr. Kate Skinner, Executive Director

 July 22,2021

The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) announces the appointment of media freedom activist, Dr. Kate Skinner as its Executive Director.

Kate has worked with the unions, NGOs, government and the media industry, where her primary focus was to build a diverse, independent media sector. In 2017, she completed her PhD degree at Wits University in the Media Studies Department, focusing on public service broadcasting and South Africa’s stop-start digital migration process. Kate is currently doing research on the impact of COVID-19 in the media industry.

Prior to her appointment at the AIP, Kate worked as Executive Director at the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF).

Her appointment comes at a time when the community media sector is experiencing a variety of sustainability challenges.

The Chairperson of the AIP Board, Ms Mbali Dhlomo, has expressed her appreciation at Kate’s appointment. “On behalf of the Board, I wish to convey my sincere welcome to Dr. Skinner as she joins our team. I am certain that Kate’s experience and expertise will assist us as we move the organization to the next higher level, for the benefit of our membership throughout the country.”

AIP is a membership-based organisation that represents grassroots community newspapers (both online and print). There are over 200 AIP members countrywide. Over 70% of the Publishers are black, with most of their  publications servicing the most rural parts of the country. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of the publications are owned by women, and eighty-five percent (85%) publish in indigenous languages.

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