1. Presentation by: William Bird & Carol Netshifhefhe 22 September 2011
PARLIAMENTARY INDABA: TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRINT MEDIA
Presentation by: William Bird & Carol Netshifhefhe 22 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 2

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! 3

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; 4

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 5

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: Quality consultation:
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