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Governance and compliance essential for community media sustainability
Governance and compliance essential for community media sustainability
A study on community media has highlighted the importance of addressing governance and compliance challenges, to strengthen the foundation and enhance public trust in community media and small commercial media.
The Research and Development of a Sustainability Model for Community and Small Commercial Media (CSCM), conducted by the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), has shown that the majority of CSCM organisations - 74% - are partially sustainable.
The study highlighted that while they have access to some of the necessary skills, including resources and financial capacity to be self-sustainable, some CSCM are currently facing challenges, including a lack of financial resources, effective governance structures, an enabling environment and skills, being among the main challenges facing the media organisations.
According to the study which was launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday, a lack of finances was as a result of various factors including difficulty in attracting advertisers, which the study raised as a concern, given that most organisations within the CSMC sector rely on advertising revenue.
“It was found that private sector advertisers are reluctant to advertise with CSCM organisations due to the perception that the organisations are unstable and unprofessional, in addition to these organisations having limited audience reach which is seen to limit the potential exposure of the advertiser’s product to target audiences.
“The challenge in attracting advertisers also extended to government advertising, with representatives from CSCM organisations, as well as representatives from the MDDA, noting that local government appeared to be reluctant to advertise with CSCM platforms,” the study found.
Responding to the findings, MDDA Board Member, Hoosain Karjiekar, emphasised that governance was essential for community media to be sustainable, as it provides the structure and processes that ensure accountability, transparency and ethical management.
However, Karjiekar noted that many community media outlets are often operating with limited resources, struggle with governance due to skill gaps, unclear policies, or competing responsibilities.
Karjiekar emphasised the importance for community media sector bodies and leadership of the media institutions to commit to promoting strong governance practices and streamlining compliance requirements.
“Training for board members and community media leaders in ethical leadership, strategic decision-making, and resource management can go a long way. Strong governance not only improves operations but builds trust with the community, which is essential for long-term support.
“Many community media outlets are also constrained by complex compliance standards that can seem overwhelming. Regulatory frameworks must adapt to the realities of community media, acknowledging their smaller operational capacities while still promoting transparency. Simplified compliance pathways can help these organisations adhere to important standards without stifling their work,” Karjiekar said.
Enhancing revenue generation for financial sustainability
On financial sustainability, which was one of the biggest hurdles facing the community media, Karjiekar said that to fulfil their mission in the longterm CSCM need diversified revenue streams beyond traditional advertising, “which may not always be viable”.
“As the Community Media Sustainability Research Report proposes; community media must explore some of the strategies [including] building partnerships and community sponsorships, leveraging grant funding and crowdfunding, implementing membership programs, [and] hosting community events and workshops,” he said.
He reiterated that ensuring community media sustainability meant fortifying the communities, supporting democracy, and safeguarding voices that might otherwise go unheard.
“Through improved governance, adaptive compliance, and creative revenue strategies, community media can not only survive but thrive, continuing to champion the stories, struggles and successes of the communities they serve,” Karjiekar said.
The study launch coincided with the month that marks the anniversary of Black Wednesday on 19 October 1977, when the apartheid regime silenced critical voices for the marginalised by banning influential newspapers The World and Weekend World. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 10/29/2024 - 13:36
41 views
Call for proactive regulations in the media sector
Call for proactive regulations in the media sector
The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) has called for proactive regulations to deal with matters of platform accountability, competition and cases of acquisitions in the media sector.
Citing the Multichoice and Canal+ acquisition, MDDA Acting Executive Manager, Lethabo Dibetso, said the acquisition poses a threat to the sustainability of the community media sector due to the Universal Service Fund (USAF) levy paid by Multichoice.
According to media reports, the French media giant has bought shares at the JSE [Johannesburg Stock Exchange]-listed broadcaster.
The MDDA currently receives a majority of its funds from broadcast funders through USAF levies, government grants and interest on investments.
Dibetso explained that Multichoice is one of the biggest contributors to the USAF levy.
“Should the levy fall through, it will be interesting to see if Multichoice will still be a contributor to the USAF levy and what that means for the sustainability of the community media sector,” Dibetso said on Thursday during a panel discussion on media freedom.
The discussion was hosted by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) during the 2024 Media Freedom Festival under the theme: “Media for Democracy: Ensuring Access, Accountability and Integrity in Journalism".
USAF was established under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) to fund projects and programmes that strive to achieve universal service and access to information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by all South African citizens.
With the MDDA being in business for about 20 years, Dibetso recognised the continuous support the agency has received from commercial broadcasters through the use of the USAF levy.
“If it wasn’t for that continuous support, the community sector would be non-existent. In the past 20 years, we have supported the community media sector with non-financial support of more than R20 million; with financial support [of] R600 million, and we have created direct and indirect jobs through supporting the community media sector.
“We have also assisted with governance training. Governance is critical for the community media sector, and it enables communities to have alternative media platforms,” he said.
Dibetso said there are a lot of community media organisations that have come up with innovative ways to sustain themselves outside of the government grant.
“The economic challenges that the media sector is facing, particularly the print sector, has direct implications for the sustainability of the MDDA and community media.
“The shrinking advertising spend means that a majority of community organisations do not have access to advertising funding.
“The competition by the digital platforms is also taking away from the community media sector, which means that as an organisation we need to knock on different doors to sustain the sector,” Dibetso said.
Ensuring media freedom
He expressed concerns about the lack of mechanisms to protect women working in the media sector.
“We have seen an increase in cyber misogyny in the media. There is an increased attack on women journalists, which poses a challenge for us,” Dibetso said.
Head of Programmes at the MMA, Thandi Smith, echoed Dibetso's sentiments that there ought to be reforms aimed at protecting journalists and media freedom.
“Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in cases against public participation. We have seen prominent cases where these mechanisms are used to silence journalists and clamp down on media freedom,” Smith said.
She said over the last 30 years, the media sector has scored big wins with upholding media principles in policy and litigation areas.
“We have seen how the judiciary has played their part in promoting and upholding media freedom. We saw changes with how media had to apply for permission to cover criminal cases from the presiding judge. That has now changed. The default now is to have open access, unless otherwise stated that it needs to be closed,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 10/17/2024 - 12:50
207 views
Johannesburg March to Raise Awareness About Access to Free, Safe Abortions
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Key Public Works and Infrastructure posts advertised to stabilise department
Key Public Works and Infrastructure posts advertised to stabilise department
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has taken action to stabilise the administration and governance of the department by advertising key vacancies in the department for permanent appointment.
Over the weekend, vacancies were advertised for a number of positions, including the Head of Infrastructure, Supply Management Executive for the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE), Chief Director for Human Resource Management, Deputy Director of Facilities Management, Deputy Director-General of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Deputy Director-General of Policy Research and Regulation, and Chief Director for accounting and reporting.
“The filling of these key positions with permanent appointments is part of the actions we have been taking to bring stability and good governance to the department since my appointment more than two months ago.
“These positions play a critical role in the department's functioning,” Macpherson said in a statement on Monday.
He encouraged all South Africans, who have the necessary skills and expertise, to apply for the positions and “join us in the work we are doing to reform the department in order for us to build a better South Africa for all our people”.
“With the advertising of these positions, we are laying the foundation of a professional public service within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure which has a diversity of skills and expertise to move us forward,” said the Minister.
Individuals who meet the requisite requirements have until 18 October 2024 to apply.
A copy of the advert and position requirements can be found at https://bit.ly/3ZzyoHn.
“The advertising of these positions forms part of the greater work we are doing to build a strong Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to deliver our vision of turning South Africa into a construction site. By working together we can ignite economic growth, create jobs and build a more prosperous South Africa,” said Macpherson. – SAnews.gov.za
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Deputy Minister Morolong calls on media to adapt to digital era to survive
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The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has emphasised the media’s necessity for long-term self-sustainability strategies as many traditional publications struggle with declining readership and closure.
According to Morolong, the media sector has a significant role in holding government and corporate leaders accountable to the citizens.
“Newspaper companies are also at the forefront of driving economic development in terms of their contributions to a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment creation, general literacy, and skills development.”
The Deputy Minister delivered a keynote address via a virtual platform at the second Meta for Government Summit in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Meta, in partnership with the Ministry of the Presidency and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), is hosting this year’s summit which is currently underway.
He bemoaned the impact of the digital industrial revolution on the media industry.
“We have seen newspaper closures, and the decline in advertising revenue, circulation and readership figures means that the sector needs long-term self-sustainability strategies.”
According to the Deputy Minister, profits and the emergence of digital content distribution platforms continue to impact on companies’ traditional profit, which is based on an advertising-based business model.
He announced that the ministerial-appointed Print and Digital Media Transformation and Revitalisation Steering Committee, which he hopes Meta will join, will assist government in addressing issues of mutual interest among all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, he said government has resolved to work with all stakeholders to develop legislative frameworks regarding freedom of the press.
“This approach acknowledges the role of all media in a democracy, and confirms that media and new media fulfil an extremely critical role in the realisation of the right to receive and impart information.”
According to the Deputy Minister, the partnership between government and Meta represents a significant opportunity to create lasting change in South Africa.
The discussion also focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and communication tools in government to enhance citizen engagement.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of digital platforms like Meta in connecting citizens and empowering them through educational content and job opportunities.
The conversation also addressed the challenges of misinformation and the need for media sustainability.
The government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and ethical digital tool usage was underscored, with a call for collaboration to ensure safe and effective digital engagement.
“Together, we can ensure that digital platforms are not just tools for communication but enablers of economic growth, empowerment, and social cohesion. Let us embrace this opportunity to build a digitally inclusive, safe and empowered South Africa.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
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Home Affairs tackles ID fraud
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The Department of Home Affairs is taking decisive action against fraud involving identity books and cards.
Through a publication in the government gazette, the department has called upon persons who are currently in possession of blocked IDs to provide written reasons and representations within 30 days for why their ID should not be cancelled.
The submissions must be sent to: Sylvia.Phasha@dha.gov.za.
The department will also undertake a sustained social media advertising campaign to provide the public with an opportunity to make representations.
Through the move, Home Affairs aims to both resolve the decades-old issue of wrongfully blocked IDs while reducing the number of fraudulent documents in circulation.
Some of the IDs were originally blocked as far back as 2005 for a range of reasons. This includes the biometric system flagging the documents as duplicates, held by illegal immigrants, or because the ID holder had passed away.
By providing the public with an opportunity to make representations, the department intends to end the inconvenience caused by the block to holders of legitimate IDs, while cancelling IDs held by unauthorised persons.
The gazetting of this measure is also in furtherance of compliance with a court order handed down earlier this year, which required the department to undertake a fair administrative process to differentiate between IDs that have been wrongfully blocked and IDs that represent genuine security threats.
“I encourage members of the public to make use of this opportunity to ensure that we conduct a just and equitable process to unblock IDs that have been wrongfully blocked,” Minister Leon Schreiber said.
“At the same time, the gazetting of these decisive measures underscores our commitment to clamp down on fraud, and to move with urgency to resolve longstanding challenges while upholding the rule of law,” Schreiber said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
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