ABSTRACT

The militarization of South Africa during the period 1976-1986 left its impact on the media as well as on other sectors of society. However, the media were especially deeply affected by the process of militarization. One reason for the deep inroads militarization made on the media was the central pace accorded to the role of communication and the media within the `total strategy' / WHAM (Win Hearts and Minds) theory - a theory that was influential within the military fraction of the South African state. As the influence of the military fraction grew within the state, so state communication policy shifted. This, in turn, created certain tensions within the ruling hegemonic alliance. This paper will describe the relationship between Beaufrian strategic theory within the South African defence Force, state communication policy and the militarization of the South African media. The paper will also trace out how fractional tensions and shifts within the ruling hegemonic alliance were revealed by a shifting state media policy, and by the reaction of differing sections of media to these shifts.

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