The Maverick Chronicle
An in-depth exploration of South Africa's independent news publication, dedicated to defending truth and fostering informed discourse.
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Overview
Independent South African Media
The Daily Maverick stands as a prominent independent, English-language news publication in South Africa, operating both as an online platform and a weekly print newspaper. Established in 2009, its headquarters are located in Cape Town, with additional offices in Johannesburg, reflecting its national reach and influence.[4][5]
Mission: Defend Truth
Guided by its resolute motto, "Defend Truth," the Daily Maverick articulates a dual mission for journalism. Firstly, it aims to safeguard democracy through substantial investment in accountability reporting. Secondly, it endeavors to empower its readership by elucidating the ramifications of major events, offering expert perspectives from its seasoned newsroom, and presenting a diverse array of opinions to ensure objectivity and balance.[1]
Significant Readership
Demonstrating its considerable impact and broad appeal, the Daily Maverick reported approximately 14.5 million unique website visits per month in 2024.[7] This substantial digital footprint underscores its role as a key source of news and analysis for a vast audience, contributing significantly to public discourse in South Africa and beyond.
Founders
Branko Brkic: Visionary Editor-in-Chief
Branislav 'Branko' Brkic, a Serbian-born South African journalist and publisher, co-founded the Daily Maverick in 2009 and serves as its editor-in-chief.[39] His journalistic journey began in Yugoslavia as a book publisher before his immigration to South Africa in 1991. Prior to the Daily Maverick, Brkic launched Timbila, the South African National Parks magazine in 1998, and co-founded the IT business magazine Brainstorm in 2001. He also initiated the print business magazines Maverick (2005) and Empire (2007), both of which ceased publication in 2008, paving the way for the digital-first Daily Maverick.[44][45][46][47]
Styli Charalambous: Strategic CEO
Styli Charalambous is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Daily Maverick. With a background in finance and accounting, having completed his articles with Deloitte and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2002, Charalambous brings a robust business acumen to the publication.[55] He is widely recognized for designing and launching the successful "Maverick Insider" membership program, a model that has garnered global attention for its innovative approach to media sustainability.[50][51] Charalambous frequently lectures on journalism revenue models at institutions like the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and contributes to discussions on media sustainability at international forums.[48][49]
Editorial Leadership
Beyond its founders, the Daily Maverick benefits from a strong editorial team. Ferial Haffajee serves as the Associate Editor, contributing her extensive experience to the publication's journalistic endeavors.[2] Jillian Green holds the position of Managing Editor, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the newsroom and ensuring the consistent quality and integrity of the content.[3] This collective leadership is instrumental in upholding the Daily Maverick's commitment to rigorous and balanced reporting.
Evolution
From Print to Digital and Back
The Daily Maverick's journey began in 2009, emerging from the closure of Branko Brkic's earlier print ventures. Initially a purely online news publication, it experimented with a "daily iPad newspaper" in 2011, which, however, concluded in 2013.[14][17] Demonstrating adaptability, the publication later expanded its format by launching a weekly print newspaper, DM168, in 2020, showcasing a strategic blend of digital innovation and traditional media presence.[20][21]
Maverick Insider: A Community Model
In 2018, the Daily Maverick pioneered "Maverick Insider," a voluntary membership program that eschews a traditional paywall or standard donation requests. This innovative model allows readers to contribute financially, ensuring that the publication's content remains freely accessible to those who cannot afford to pay.[23] This approach has been globally recognized as a successful example of an emerging trend in journalism, fostering a strong readership community and promoting media sustainability.[24][25]
Expanding Content Formats
Beyond written articles, the Daily Maverick has diversified its content offerings to include various multimedia formats. It produces a range of podcasts, such as "Don't Shoot The Messenger," "What's Eating Us," and "The Highwaymen," engaging audiences through audio storytelling.[33][34][35] Furthermore, the publication has ventured into documentary filmmaking, with notable productions including Influence, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020, and Section 16, detailing online attacks on its women journalists, which debuted at the Encounters Film Festival.[36][37][38] The Daily Maverick also hosts articles from Declassified UK, an independent group investigating British foreign policy and corporate influence.
Impact
The Gupta Leaks Investigation
The Daily Maverick gained significant international recognition for its pivotal role in the investigation of the "Gupta Leaks." This collaborative effort exposed the systemic political corruption and state capture involving the Indian-born Gupta family and former South African President Jacob Zuma during his tenure.[8][9][10] The investigation's profound impact on South African society and governance was acknowledged with the prestigious 2019 Global Shining Light Award.[11]
Nat Nakasa Award Recipients
The dedication to media integrity by the Daily Maverick's leadership has been individually honored. Branko Brkic received the Nat Nakasa Award for Media Integrity in 2018 for his instrumental role in initiating the Gupta Leaks investigation.[12][13] Following this, CEO Styli Charalambous was also bestowed with the Nat Nakasa Award in 2021, recognizing his significant contributions to South African journalism and his commitment to courageous and ethical reporting.[12]
Extensive Industry Accolades
The Daily Maverick and its journalists have consistently been recognized with numerous awards across various categories, highlighting its excellence and influence in the media landscape.
Funding
Diverse Revenue Streams
The Daily Maverick employs a multifaceted funding model to sustain its independent journalism. Its revenue is generated through a combination of reader donations, grants from various organizations, income from events, and advertising. This diversified approach helps ensure its financial stability and editorial independence.[1]
Ownership Structure
The publication is wholly owned by a holding company, which in turn is funded by a consortium of shareholders. Notably, many of these shareholders are non-profit organizations and trusts, aligning with the Daily Maverick's commitment to providing balanced and unbiased news. No single shareholder holds more than 50% ownership, preventing undue influence. The largest shareholder is the South African non-profit Inkululeko South Africa Media.[1] Other significant shareholders, each with less than 15% ownership, include KMC Trust, Wolmarans Trust, Polyanna Trust, Bakkium Share Trust, Angel Trust, Noble Savage (Pty) ltd, Tondox (Pty) ltd, Styli Charalambous, Branko Brkic, and Tony Rattey.[1]
Philanthropic Support & Partnerships
In addition to its reader-supported model and advertising, the Daily Maverick receives philanthropic funding from several notable foundations. These include the Open Society Foundation,[28] the Donald Gordon Foundation,[29] the Elaine & David Potter Foundation,[30] and ABSA.[31] The publication is also an active participant in the Media Development Investment Fund's South African Media Innovation Programme, further solidifying its commitment to innovative and sustainable journalism practices.[32]
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References
References
- Open Society Annual Report 2018
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional journalistic or financial advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting official news sources, financial experts, or media professionals. Always refer to the official Daily Maverick website for the most current information and consult with qualified professionals for specific journalistic, business, or financial insights. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.