The Gupta family launched The New Age (TNA) newspaper in 2010 and ANN7 24-hour news channel in September 2013. Both outlets pushed "sunshine journalism" — pro-government, pro-Zuma coverage. Opposition parties and civil society described them as "nothing more than Gupta and pro-Zuma propaganda mouthpieces, surviving on the hard-earned rands of South Africa's taxpayers."
The financial lifeline came from three channels:
1. **Government advertising**: Total government advertising spend directed to Gupta media was approximately R260.3 million (2011-2018), with the largest single year being R68.2 million in 2015. TNA received 20 times more government advertising than comparable publications like City Press.
2. **TNA Breakfast Briefings**: Televised breakfast events where government officials and SOE executives were interviewed — funded by taxpayers. SABC spent R20.3 million (without a signed contract). Transnet spent R122 million (2012-2017). GCIS spent R33.9 million. Eskom spent at least R1 million per event for at least 46 breakfasts. Additional spending came from PetroSA, SAA, and the Department of Human Settlements.
3. **MultiChoice/ANN7**: MultiChoice paid ANN7 R141 million per year plus a special R25 million once-off payment, keeping the underperforming channel financially viable on DStv.
In August 2017, Mzwanele Manyi's Lodidox acquired ANN7 for R300 million and TNA for R150 million via vendor financing from the Guptas. Both subsequently closed.
The Zondo Commission labelled SABC-TNA contracts as "irregular and crafted for the benefit of TNA and the Guptas, not the SABC" and recommended recovery of funds from Gupta family assets.