Media: Press freedom in South Africa is legally protected by the Constitution of South Africa and is generally respected in practice. According to Global Integrity 2008, media focus on corruption has never been as high as during 2008, peaking during now President Zuma's vicissitudes with justice. The study also reports that corruption in the private sector is less likely to be covered than political corruption. Freedom House 2011 reports that several apartheid-era laws remain in effect that permit authorities to restrict the publication of information about issues such as the police and the national defence forces, as well as to compel journalists to reveal sources. The US Department of State 2010 notes that governmental information is, by law, accessible, yet disclosure can be restricted. The Open Democracy Advice Center reported that many requests for information is either answered outside the period of legislation or not answered at all. In November 2011, South Africa’s parliament passed a controversial ‘secrecy bill’, which still needs to be passed by the upper house in 2012. According to a November 2011 articles by BBC News, if passed, the bill would give the state the power to classify documents as secret in the ‘national interest’, which, according to some critics, as cited in the article, could include reports about government corruption and human rights abuses. According to the Bertelsmann Foundation 2010, only 'hate speech' is prosecuted by law. In some instances politicians have attempted to intimidate journalists by threats of legal action. Political influence in the state-owned South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) led to journalists who voice criticism of the government being replaced by more loyal ANC supporters. Freedom House 2011 quotes the governance watchdog Global Integrity, and mentions that the government has threatened to withdraw advertising from newspapers that report on corruption and other scandals. Despite these problems, violation of press freedom is generally not held to be a major issue of concern in the country. Furthermore, according to Freedom House's Special Report 2009, there is a high level of digital media freedom in South Africa. Political content is not censored, and bloggers are not prosecuted for online activities. More people access the internet from their mobile telephones than from their computers. Nevertheless, the majority of the population is unable to benefit from internet access due to high costs and the fact that most content is in English, which is an obstacle for those who speak only local dialects. Reporters Without Borders 2010 ranks South Africa 38th out of 178 countries, and Freedom House 2011 describes the country's press environment as 'partly free' and ranks it 72nd out of 196 countries.

Civil Society: Civil society in South Africa is evaluated as 'strong' by Global Integrity 2010, mainly as a result of past mobilisation and politicisation of large groups against the apartheid regime. The South African constitution guarantees the freedom of association and free assembly. Furthermore, civil society, together with the media, is relatively well-organised and plays an important role in ensuring government accountability. Also, freedom of religion and academic freedom are guaranteed and South Africans are free to form and join independent trade unions as well as NGOs. According to the Bertelsmann Foundation 2010, although these rights are respected, the police have been accused of overreacting to illegal demonstrations in some cases. Isolated cases of candidate intimidation during electoral campaigns by opponents, but not by state agencies, have been reported.

Institute for Security Studies (ISS): The ISS is an applied policy research organisation with a dedicated anti-corruption programme. The ISS Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Programme undertakes research on corruption and anti-corruption and produces a monthly newsletter on corruption in South Africa, the Umqol'Uphandle SA Corruption Briefing. The ISS houses the Information Portal on Corruption in Africa (IPOC in Africa), which provides research, links and surveys related to corruption in countries in Southern Africa.

Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA): BACSA is a non-profit organisation established with the aim of supporting the government in the fight against crime, including fraud and corruption. It operates a Commercial Crime Programme, which supports the National Prosecution Authority. The BACSA regularly issues news releases and publishes annual reports.

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA): BUSA represents South African business on macroeconomic issues and has 49 business organisations as its members. BUSA has put together an information guide to help companies, especially SMEs, which are particularly vulnerable to corruption, to understand the anti-corruption laws in South Africa, where to draw the line, and how to build an ethical business. In response to the resolutions taken at the third National Anti-Corruption Summit, it has proposed a South African Charter of Ethical Business Practice, which it defines as an inspirational 'Business Code of Ethics' that could be applicable to the South African business community. It sets out what ethical business conduct means in the South African context, encouraging the business community to adhere to this charter, and provides a standard which can be cited when organised companies need to publicly indicate their moral stance on unethical practices related to South African business. In addition, it has put together anti-corruption information guides as starting points for both domestic and foreign entrepreneurs who want to invest in the country. Access the Anti-corruption guide for South African SMEs and/or the Anti-corruption Information Guide for Foreign Investors to South Africa.

Ethics Institute of South Africa (EISA): The EISA is an independent, non-profit organisation, which advocates for improved ethical practices, such as in relation to conflicts of interest and anti-competitive practices, in business behaviour and in public agencies. It runs various educational programmes and provides development and implementation services for ethics codes.

Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA): The IDASA is an independent public interest organisation that advocates for the strengthening of public and private institutions, good governance and social justice. Although its work is not directly anti-corruption related, it has published a number of highly relevant research studies and articles on corruption in South Africa. Procurement Corruption (New Agenda 2008) is among the more recent studies.