Ranald Macdonald (journalist)

Ranald Macdonald (born 1950) is a South African journalist and newspaper executive. He is best known for his role as editor of the Rand Daily Mail during the final years of apartheid.

Macdonald was a key figure in South African journalism during the 1970s and 1980s, a period of intense political and social upheaval. Under his editorship, the Rand Daily Mail became a vocal critic of the apartheid regime, exposing government corruption and human rights abuses. The newspaper provided a platform for Black voices and challenged the dominant narrative of racial segregation.

Macdonald's stance made him a target of the apartheid government. He and the Rand Daily Mail faced constant harassment, censorship, and financial pressure. Despite these challenges, Macdonald remained committed to his journalistic principles.

The Rand Daily Mail was ultimately forced to close in 1985 due to dwindling advertising revenue and government pressure. Macdonald subsequently worked for other media organizations and continued to advocate for freedom of the press and social justice in South Africa. He has also written extensively on media ethics and the role of journalism in a democratic society. He is seen as a significant figure in the history of South African journalism.