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Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth

Relations between the Media and State structures on communication issues and prospects for the digital future. Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth. Media and state. South Africa - still a new kid on the block, in an age of:.

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Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth

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  1. Relations between the Media and State structures on communication issues and prospects for the digital future Guy Berger, Rhodes University “Connecting with the media, 2008” 5 September, Port Elizabeth

  2. Media and state

  3. South Africa - still a new kid on the block, in an age of: • Globalisation • New technology • The Information Society

  4. Shiny constitution • Free speech • Free press • Freedom of info

  5. But: suspicion, aggro

  6. Uncertainty of new government

  7. This is how many ingovernmentsee the media

  8. A Grahamstown story of a failed attempt to chow the press

  9. Makana’s ad boycott violated: • 4 clauses in the constitution, • 2 laws on municipalities, and • Promotion of Admin Justice Act.

  10. It’s not only state-media • We have to remember the people watching us both.

  11. Theydon’twantto seeoppspassSouthAfricaby

  12. We all need to rise above our differences…

  13. Partnerships are critical in the Information society: Reflect that: • Info = the means of production • Growing sector of workforce

  14. In search of better relations, don’t bark up the wrong tree…

  15. Editors dialoging with police

  16. Building info-flows through Standing Order 156

  17. Any SAPS member can talk to the media : • Within expertise or responsibility; • Without jeopardising police work; • Not on bank robberies, victims, suspects, court cases, wanted persons and suicides.

  18. Filtering is limited: • Requests for info on national investigations, statistics, crime trends, and national political figures referred upwards. • General Result: on all else, media can get concrete details and colour direct from source, doing better journalism.

  19. Ethics: Police are • Not to exercise favouritism by giving news to one medium and not another. • To keep confidentiality on journalists’ exclusive requests for information. • Discouraged from giving confidential briefings.

  20. And they need to upskill: Municipalities need to develop similar protocols to SAPS Eg. www.impacs.org DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS

  21. Great media liaison… • 1. Be Available! • 2. Be Prepared! • 3. Feed the beast!

  22. Three principles… • If you don’t know an answer, never lie or make it up. • Tell the reporter you’ll get right back to them with the info they want, and do so! • Or, give the reporter a contact who does know the answer.

  23. No one can make good news out of bad practice • Remember…

  24. Listen .. Don’t only seek to speak

  25. If you are wronged… • Ask for a correction • Ask for the editor or producer • Escalate to Press ombudsman or the BCCSA • Consider legal action

  26. Also: output your info through other channels • speeches • briefings, reports • in interviews • govt media • on Internet

  27. Combat a culture of secrecy: • Many officials treat the information they hold as their private property, not even that of their department

  28. A logistical challenge: • Under apartheid, probably 90% of information was controlled. • In a democracy, 90% is theoretically available. • How can this become practically available?

  29. Availability of govt info 10% restricted 80% unrestricted 10% unrestricted & available

  30. Value of information: • The 10% distributed often has lower value to citizens than the other 80%. Why? • Information distributed widely, must have general appeal. • Other 80% of info has more value, because it is more specific.

  31. When a new tech comes along…things change

  32. Is new media catching us napping?

  33. Summing up • Two sides need each other. • State-side has a major role to play in realising free flow of info. • State-side can strengthen itself with basic comms training. • And by e-governance big time!

  34. Towards the golden age?

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