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PARLIAMENTARY INDABA: TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRINT MEDIA

PARLIAMENTARY INDABA: TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRINT MEDIA. Presentation by: William Bird & Carol Netshifhefhe 22 September 2011. ABOUT MMA. Formerly the Media Monitoring Project Vision:

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PARLIAMENTARY INDABA: TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRINT MEDIA

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  1. PARLIAMENTARY INDABA:TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRINT MEDIA Presentation by:William Bird & Carol Netshifhefhe22 September 2011

  2. ABOUT MMA Formerly the Media Monitoring Project Vision: A responsible media that enables an informed and engaged citizenry in Africa and across the world. Promoting Human Rights and Democracy through the media since 1993

  3. MORE ABOUT MMA Human rights NGO monitoring the media since 1993 – celebrating 18 years; Conducted over 120 media monitoring projects: Race (SAHRC, CSVR), Elections; Gender (GMBS, GMMP); Children (ECM); HIV (WITS, MAP), and more!

  4. MMA & SUBMISSIONS Impact media policy, submissions: IBA and ICASA Broadcasters Code of Conduct; SABC Licence Conditions; Elections report; Disability code of conduct, and more! Individual media, SABC Editorial Policies; Press Council Review; Parliamentary Committees; Broadcasting Bills; Advertising & Transformation Hearings;

  5. MMA Bias and Assumptions MMA work has Human Rights Bias; LOVE our Constitution; Print media and Government intend to do good; Public and citizen participation essential for democracy; Delighted to be taking place in MEDIA FREEDOM WEEK!! Debate on Hate Speech Ruling

  6. PROCESS • Concerns: • Very short notice of the indaba; • Exclusive invitations; • Lack of consultation; • Conspiracy theories: encourages view that parliament is out to limit media freedom; • Flies in face of recent considered, consultative approach by Department of Communication, Portfolio Committee on Communication on SABC AND EVEN ICASA has announced comprehensive review.

  7. PROCESS • Accordingly: • This is the beginning of far more engaged series of debates, discussions and consultations on key issues; • CRUCIAL to the success of the process is the importance of QUALITY consultation • Quality consultation: • Not rushed; • Full, meaningful, comprehensive engagement with ALL key stakeholders and ordinary citizens over a reasonable period of time; • Promotes entrenchment and realisation of the rights in our constitution; • And in line with principles of open and accountable governance

  8. TRANSFORMATION • Significant change and transformation in our media sector as a whole in terms of: • Ownership; • Diversity; • Content

  9. TRANSFORMATION • Is it the best in the world? • Maybe not • Could our media be better? • Yes – as could we all • My country my media a personal impact • Seeing people like me: in stories and practitioners • Transformation is an ongoing journey • USA celebrated 227 of their Constitution – South Africa less than a 10th – but look how far we have come • But we must keep going…

  10. TRANSFORMATION • Crucial to the process is; • We have to want to change: • Desire for change and improvement; • Ongoing pressure from civil society – on all of us to do better; • Positive Incentive for change

  11. TRANSFORMATION • Are the factors for change present? • YES, Pressure and incentive from civil society; • MMA in its 18 years experience has seen significant positive shifts in coverage on: • Gender and gender based violence; • Race, racism and xenophobia; • Children and • Elections • From what I know ALL of these were unimaginable less than 20 years ago • Seen new papers emerging! • Targeting new audiences – Daily Sun and Daily Voice; Small commercial • African language media: Isolezwe, Sunday Times IsiZulu edition; • Efforts from Government and MDDA in supporting small media ???

  12. WAY FORWARD • We look forward to participating in a comprehensive process focused on these issues and more; • MMA will provide research, detailed input and assistance going forward should we be invited; • Thank you; • Please support media freedom week • Get onto twitter if you cannot be there follow #FreeMediaZA

  13. Way forward

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