COM3712
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2026
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 17 APRIL 2026
, Communication Policy (Offered from 2026) - COM3712
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 2
2. THE FIVE KEY STEPS FOR POLICY ANALYSIS .................................................. 3
Step 1: Problem Definition ..................................................................................... 3
Step 2: Policy Context and Stakeholder Analysis ............................................... 3
Step 3: Identification of Policy Options ................................................................ 4
Step 4: Evaluation of Policy Alternatives ............................................................. 4
Step 5: Implementation, Monitoring, and Review ................................................ 5
3. UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL INEQUALITY VERSUS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE ........ 5
The Digital Divide .................................................................................................... 5
Digital Inequality ..................................................................................................... 5
Structural Drivers of Digital Inequality in South Africa ....................................... 6
4. KEY ISSUES FOR DIGITAL MEDIA POLICY AND REGULATION ....................... 6
4.1 Platform Market Concentration ....................................................................... 6
4.2 Data Governance and Privacy ......................................................................... 7
4.3 Content Moderation and Freedom of Expression .......................................... 7
4.4 Access and Affordability .................................................................................. 7
4.5 Digital Literacy and Capacity Building ........................................................... 8
4.6 Platform Accountability and Democratic Oversight ...................................... 8
5. CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................... 8
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 9
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2026
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 17 APRIL 2026
, Communication Policy (Offered from 2026) - COM3712
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 2
2. THE FIVE KEY STEPS FOR POLICY ANALYSIS .................................................. 3
Step 1: Problem Definition ..................................................................................... 3
Step 2: Policy Context and Stakeholder Analysis ............................................... 3
Step 3: Identification of Policy Options ................................................................ 4
Step 4: Evaluation of Policy Alternatives ............................................................. 4
Step 5: Implementation, Monitoring, and Review ................................................ 5
3. UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL INEQUALITY VERSUS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE ........ 5
The Digital Divide .................................................................................................... 5
Digital Inequality ..................................................................................................... 5
Structural Drivers of Digital Inequality in South Africa ....................................... 6
4. KEY ISSUES FOR DIGITAL MEDIA POLICY AND REGULATION ....................... 6
4.1 Platform Market Concentration ....................................................................... 6
4.2 Data Governance and Privacy ......................................................................... 7
4.3 Content Moderation and Freedom of Expression .......................................... 7
4.4 Access and Affordability .................................................................................. 7
4.5 Digital Literacy and Capacity Building ........................................................... 8
4.6 Platform Accountability and Democratic Oversight ...................................... 8
5. CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................... 8
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 9
