The Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) has appointed Dr Tyrone August, a veteran journalist, editor and scholar, as South Africa’s new Press Ombud, effective 1 October 2026. The appointment follows a rigorous selection process and comes at a time when trusted, accountable journalism remains vital to public life.
As Press Ombud, Dr August will adjudicate public complaints against Press Council member
publications, uphold the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct, and lead the Council’s two Deputy
Ombuds. The role is central to South Africa’s independent media co-regulation system, which
balances media freedom with public accountability.
Dr August brings a wealth of experience, with a background spanning newsroom leadership,
adjudication, and public-interest journalism. Since 2021, he has served as Deputy Press Ombud,
directly engaging with the Council’s complaints and adjudication systems. He has contributed
to South Africa’s newsrooms, including The Star, City Press, and the Sowetan, and has held key
roles at Leadership magazine and the Cape Times, where he served as Deputy Editor, Acting
Editor, and Editor.
His extensive background includes leadership roles in media trade unionism, serving as a Public
Representative of the Press Council, participating on the board of GroundUp, and actively
engaging in the adjudication process of the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards.
The selection panel and the Council’s leadership expressed their appreciation for the
appointment. Justice Bess Nkabinde, Chair of the Council’s Appointments Panel, said, “No one
is better placed to lead our adjudication process with the fairness, independence, and credibility
the public and the media sector deserve.”
Dr Phathiswa Magopeni, the Executive Director of the Press Council, remarked that Dr August
possesses “an exceptional blend of newsroom authority, academic rigour, and institutional
memory in his role. His extensive experience, together with his tenure as Deputy Press Ombud,
gives him direct familiarity with the Council’s complaints and adjudication processes.
Accepting his appointment, Dr August said: “I am honoured to assume this responsibility and to
contribute to the Press Council’s vital work in upholding ethical journalism, media accountability
and public trust.”
He also brings strong academic credentials to the role. He holds a PhD from the University of the
Western Cape and a Master of Arts in Area Studies (Africa) from the University of London.
Fellowships at Stellenbosch University and the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study
further demonstrate his sustained engagement with scholarship and public life.
The Press Council believes Dr August’s appointment will strengthen its work at a critical time for
journalism and public trust. It welcomes him to the role and looks forward to working with him to
advance credible co-regulation and accountable media in South Africa.