Yalezo, Bhasela.Khanyile, Charity.2025-01-152025-01-1520242024https://hdl.handle.net/10413/23563Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This research study delves into the intricate dynamics of donor funding for news organisations in South Africa, aiming to uncover the advantages and drawbacks of relying predominantly on external financial support. Through a qualitative approach and employing a case study design, the research explores the multifaceted challenges of achieving financial sustainability in philanthrojournalism within the South African context. The study places a keen focus on examining the potential influence that donors may exert on the editorial independence of these entities. Furthermore, it investigates the feasibility of integrating donor funding with traditional revenue sources. Grounded in the interpretivist research paradigm, the study utilises a nonprobability purposive sampling method to select its sample, while data collection hinges on semi-structured interviews. Fifteen potential participants were approached, however only 14 responded. The data analysis is anchored in thematic analysis, facilitating the exploration of emerging patterns and themes within the dataset. Drawing its theoretical framework from Resource Dependency Theory, this research uncovers notable challenges related to sustainability, stemming from the inherent dependence on external sources, which may not always align with the overarching goals and mission of news entities. Moreover, the findings indicate that donor funding may apply noteworthy influence on news agendas and priorities, potentially affecting the coveted editorial independence of these companies. In light of these findings, the study offers several recommendations to navigate the complex terrain of donor-funded newsrooms. It reiterates the necessity for news organisations to strike a delicate balance between accommodating donor interests and preserving editorial autonomy, thereby safeguarding their credibility and independence. This study underscores the critical significance of establishing explicit boundaries and ethical guidelines to maintain editorial independence in the context of donor-funded media outlets. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding financial sustainability in the evolving landscape of news organisations and offers valuable insights into the dynamics of donor funding in the realm of journalism.enMedia.Journalism.Philanthrojournalism.Journalism--Funding.Journalism--Donors.Thesis