Who we are
Media Monitoring Africa (formerly the Media Monitoring Project) has promoted democracy and human rights through the media since 1993. It acts in a watchdog role to promote ethical and fair journalism that supports human rights.
What We Do
Media Monitoring Africa engages in a range of activities that aim to promote human rights and the democratic role of media. We utilise our research results to engage with media, government and civil society to improve practice and understanding around the importance of media ethics, quality and freedom.
Current Projects
The Global Media Monitoring Project day was 10 November 2009, MMA is currently analysing all contributing countries results for the under WACC. We have just finished monitoring and evaluating training provided by FrayIntermedia on covering migration and xenophobia and an analysis of SABC’s Kids News. Please contact us for more details.
Contact Us
For comment on current media issues or any other information contact us on:
Tel: +27 (0) 11 788 1278
Fax: +27 (0) 11 788 1289
Email: .
Latest
- State of the Media - Presentation at Sanef
William Bird, director of MMA, gave a presentation at a Sanef’s summit, which focused on issues of media freedom.
- Media Monitoring Africa launches latest report “Children’s views not in the news”
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) today launched its latest report focused on children’s portrayal in the news media.
In addition to the core findings, MMA released its second media ratings of children’s coverage. It rated the performance of print media against each other and showed which cover children the best and which media need a rethink in strategy.
- Invitation to launch of MMA report “Children’s views not in the news”
At a time when media is under a lot of scrutiny join us to find out how selected print media are doing in covering one of South Africa’s most marginalised groups - children. Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has been monitoring selected print media to see how children are represented in the media. The report, titled “Children’s views not in the news”, will be launched on Thursday 26 August 2010.
- Plain language version of the Protection of Information Bill (Open Democracy Advice Centre)
If you want to know more about the Protection of Information Bill, check out this Plain Language version of the Bill, drawn up by the Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC). Well done to the ODAC for coming up with such a user friendly guide!
- Business leaders raise voice for press freedom
Business leaders yesterday entered the press freedom debate, unequivocally rejecting the idea of a media appeals tribunal.
News
- Media Monitoring Africa launches latest report “Children’s views not in the news”
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) today launched its latest report focused on children’s portrayal in the news media.
In addition to the core findings, MMA released its second media ratings of children’s coverage. It rated the performance of print media against each other and showed which cover children the best and which media need a rethink in strategy.
- Invitation to launch of MMA report “Children’s views not in the news”
At a time when media is under a lot of scrutiny join us to find out how selected print media are doing in covering one of South Africa’s most marginalised groups - children. Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has been monitoring selected print media to see how children are represented in the media. The report, titled “Children’s views not in the news”, will be launched on Thursday 26 August 2010.
- Business leaders raise voice for press freedom
Business leaders yesterday entered the press freedom debate, unequivocally rejecting the idea of a media appeals tribunal.
- SA journos heading for jail: SANEF
The words “prison bars” and “Osama bin Laden” came up in discussions on the future of media freedom in South Africa on Tuesday.
- Zuma slams press in letter
Writing on his party’s website, Zuma challenged the bona fides of the country’s journalists and defended plans for a statutory media appeals tribunal.
Mondli Makhanya, chairman of the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) and Avusa editor-in-chief, said yesterday that Zuma’s letter was a serious setback in the search for a common understanding between government and media.
- Winners and Sinners on Women’s Day
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has been sifting through the articles and submersing itself in reports, and here are our best and worst picks of media’s representation of women on the 9th August 2010, and in the days immediately before and after Women’s Day.
13 newspapers, all based in Gauteng, as well as television reports (ETV and SABC1, 2 and 3), were looked at as part of this qualitative project. This is just a quick snap shot of the winners and sinners on Women’s Day.
- Unions object to SABC news chief’s self promotion
Like a presidential candidate in a one party-state, the SABC’s controversial news chief has been accused of monopolising the public broadcaster and abusing his office to promote his own profile.
Phil Molefe, whose appointment was disputed by the majority of SABC board members, has been on television and radio of late, promoting a social responsibility programme and talking about his vision for journalism.
- ANC must clarify tribunal
The African National Congress should act responsibly and fairly by providing evidence to back up its arguments for a media appeals tribunal, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) said on Monday.
“The (ANC discussion) document unambiguously accuses the media of irresponsible and unfair reporting… however it could be accused of doing the very thing that it condemns (by) making unsubstantiated accusations,” MMA director William Bird said in a statement.
- SA journalists fight proposed media laws
South African journalists have launched a campaign to fight what they say is an attempt to curtail media freedoms in a nation known for one of Africa’s freest and most open Constitutions.
In a declaration published in all main Sunday newspapers, the South African National Editors’ Forum said media restrictions proposed by the African National Congress threatened free expression that was the “lifeblood” of the country’s democracy since the end of apartheid-era rule in 1994. Those proposals include a new media law and a special tribunal for journalists.
- ANC should substantiate tribunal statements
The African National Congress should act responsibly and fairly by providing evidence to back up its arguments for a media appeals tribunal, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) said on Monday.
“The [ANC discussion] document unambiguously accuses the media of irresponsible and unfair reporting… however it could be accused of doing the very thing that it condemns [by] making unsubstantiated accusations,” MMA director William Bird said in a statement.
Resources
- State of the Media - Presentation at Sanef
William Bird, director of MMA, gave a presentation at a Sanef’s summit, which focused on issues of media freedom.
- Plain language version of the Protection of Information Bill (Open Democracy Advice Centre)
If you want to know more about the Protection of Information Bill, check out this Plain Language version of the Bill, drawn up by the Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC). Well done to the ODAC for coming up with such a user friendly guide!
- Submission to Department of Communications (DOC) on the ICASA Amendment Bill
Media Monitoring Africa registers its concern over the relatively short time period for submissions. Given the importance and scope of the Bill, not just in terms of the issues it seeks to change but also that if implemented it would impact every person in South Africa, and given that there has not yet been a policy review process we believe the short period has prevented:
- Proper, broad-based meaningful consultation with members of the public
- In-depth debate and discussion on the various changes
- The development of clear alternatives to some of the issues provided.The move by the Department of Communications to amend the policy governing ICASA is an exciting and invigorating moment for South Africa. It is of fundamental importance to ensure that all South Africans participate in shaping our “independent” regulator’s future. Especially given the history of its formation, and creation as critical to democracy and media independence. In addition, the role of “independent” regulation in this new digital era is critical to ensuring that all citizen’s needs are catered for, and not just a select few, with higher LSM’s for instance.
- Child Safety Measures during the World Cup – how did we do?
“There was no money set aside (by government) for the protection of children.”
(Gyan Dwarika, Social Work Advance Specialist: Child Exploitation, Department of Social Development)
With children on extended holidays for the duration of the World Cup, there were concerns that the sporting event brought with it new threats and risks in terms of children’s safety. Children from Saxonwold and Naturena Primary Schools in Johannesburg wanted to find out what was done to keep children safe during the World Cup, how effective they had been, and what role the media had played!
- The Sunday Times dedicates an edition to wonderful women.
The Sunday Times dedicates its edition on the 23rd of May 2010 to both powerful and ordinary women doing great work for the economy and in their communities.
Blog
- SABC in danger of becoming a state broadcaster
The SABC is in the news again – for all the wrong reasons – again. We are almost getting used to this. This time however it is different. This time after an interim board had worked tirelessly to secure a loan agreement to allow the SABC to operate, after so many committed staff had ensured that despite the chaos the SABC still goes on air, even with one or two good programmes, (I would have said three or four but these other two are just repeats. Even the new 50/50 is a sad shadow of itself with more glitz but far less quality and content).
- Another SABC Public Mandate Bungle?
A story in the Sowetan, focused on how the SABC has bungled its own arrangements for finding a venue for its World Cup broadcast. According to the story SABC’s World Cup broadcasts were originally intended to be based at Nasrec – which if I recall correctly is the venue of the Media Centre for the World cup – so that at least made sense, as they would be with all the other media, making all the big personalities and celebrities easier to access, and they may even have had a view of the World Cup Calabash stadium in the background. This I can understand. What I cannot understand is why Sandton Convention Centre??
- Funding challenge and undervaluing the public service
Funding is one of the biggest problems the SABC faces. But it seems to me that they are missing using some of their best programming and most profitable channels to answer some questions about how best to proceed. A new and creative model and should explore some of the alternatives, and I think, surprise surprise, that a policy review process would enable us all to do this, and this will take time - so I also think we need to see if we can get SABC to operate more effectively as it is.
- SABC in crisis but still broadcasting
Our public broadcaster is in crisis, nothing new there. The SABC manages to confound and amaze, nothing new there either really. It amazes because despite all the crises we really do need to give credit to those who ensure that it is still ticking over.
- Elections bull driving you mad, politicians full of it? Here’s how you can make a difference
According to figures from the Stats SA website (www.statssa.gov.za – you should go there –it offers really cool ways to play with population data) based on their 2008 mid year population estimate, children account for between 39% and 43% of South Africa’s population.
That seems quite a lot. Seriously. Zambia has more, 52% of Zambia’s population are children, incredible. If we look at news, we certainly wouldn’t have any idea that children make up such a huge chunk of the population.
- Calling on media to adopt an agenda in reporting elections
Tune in to Media @ SAfm
Elections are coming and some say they may be sooner than we anticipate. We say hooray! We love elections at MMA. There is a certain inexplicable joy at the prospect of monitoring a whole lot of media, analysing each news item, tracking the big stories and the little ones too, considering issues of fairness and bias, party coverage and gender equality.
- 50/50 - highlighting the potential of the SABC
50/50 Watch this programme!
Sometimes you aren’t sure about telling people about something good in case it ruins it. Usually in the case of a restaurant if you tell too many people about it, it can get too popular, lose its charm and authenticity and become rubbish. In the current instance, I am thinking of a television programme. My fear isn’t so much about the programme becoming too popular, rather I think if it continues to fly under the radar it may just stay on air.
I’m talking about 50/50, a programme so good SABC marketing people never think to advertise it as a clear example of what our public broadcaster can do.
- Thank you South Africa thank you, the silly season…
If like me you don’t have satellite TV and you had a little more free time than normal over the last few weeks and rather than the wrestling feast that seems to be on e-tv almost 24hours a day… Hang on, I know this is mid sentence but really there is a new programme on etv that makes Cheaters look like good television. It is called Diva Diaries and it appears to be an excuse for scantily clad women to “wrestle.” Now don’t get me wrong I am all for lowest common denominator media, we all need a break from reality and there is a lot to be said about tabloids and mind numbing television programmes but in the case of Diva Diaries it is just mind numbingly bad. Naturalising violence against women, stupidity and sexism in one programme is a minor feat I guess and it makes the other wrestling look like brilliant programming.
- Looking for Hope
I am amazed by two recent media events. Special Assignment last Tuesday (9/12/2008) was a follow-up to their expose of an alleged paedophile. Curiously the programme’s focus seemed designed to be more about staving off a legal challenge from the subject of the programme. Early into the programme the journalist says, “due to ongoing legal threats by his lawyers we decided to do a follow-up story.” The programme then goes on to highlight other issues relating to the story that occurred prior to the expose first being aired.
- Digital migration
On World Aids Day, ICASA held its second day of hearings into Digital Terrestrial Television, and digital migration regulations. When I first heard about them I had no idea what they were all about, whether they were important or what the issues were. Luckily as a member of the Save our SABC Coalition (see here) I attended a session where former ICASA councillor Libby Lloyd gave a presentation on Digital Migration. It was brilliant and I highly recommend you have a look at it as it explains the key concepts in very accessible way. (Libby has kindly given us permission to put it on our website.) Don’t know your Set top Box from your Dual Illumination? Check out the presentation. Libby’s presentation was so effective that it resulted in both the SOS Coalition and MMA making submissions to ICASA on the Digital Migration Regulations.
Get Mad/Glad
- Identifying child witnesses subjects them to further trauma
A number of articles published in different newspapers identified a child witness following a story widely reported in the media, involving a father who killed his young daughter and committed suicide thereafter. The articles are therefore selected as Mad Oat Mads.
- Saturday Star’s reporting is empowering
“Look at me, ma, I’ve got my new legs on,” (Saturday Star, 07/08/2010, p. 5) was selected as a Glad for proving that there is always a positive side to children who have been victims of traumatic experiences.
- Powerful images published by The Times and Sowetan uphold children’s rights
“Four-year-old cruelly slashed” (The Times 20/07/2010, p. 5) and “School pregnancy shock” (Sowetan, 21/07/2010, p. 7) gave MMA reasons to be glad. While the articles in The Times and Sowetan were not perfect, the photographs published alongside them were examples of how images of children do not have to violate their rights to be powerful.
- The Citizen reinforces racial stereotypes
The Citizen’s article “World Cup blasts: toll tops 74” (The Citizen, 13/07/2010, p. 10) has given Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) many reasons to be mad. The report identified a child, used an extremely graphic photo of dead victims, and reinforced racial stereotypes.
- The Star can fly its flag high for accessing children
The Star’s “Flag-bearers thrilled to be part of it all” (12/07/2010, p.7) gets a Glad for interviewing four child flag-bearers about their experiences.
- Reuters and The Times portray children poorly
The Times gets a Mad for publishing a photograph that negatively stereotypes abandoned children and infringes on their rights to privacy and dignity.
- City Press holds government accountable for failing refugee children
City Press gets a Glad for dedicating a full page to outstanding articles highlighting the struggles of child refugees in South Africa and in their home countries, particularly Zimbabwe.
- Protect children’s best interests when prominent figures pay them a visit
An article published in The Star, “Princess takes a bow at care centre” (22/06/2010, p. 3) about Japanese Princess Takamado’s visit to the St. Francis Care, has given Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) reason to be mad. It reported on a Japanese Princess’s visit to a care centre in Boksburg, which cares for adults and children affected by HIV/AIDS. A picture and name of a child interacting with the princess were provided, together with the names of two children at the centre.
- Daily Sun report is guilty of multiple violations of a child’s rights
Daily Sun’s article “My Girl’s Possessed” ( Daily Sun , 10,06,2010, p. 2) makes Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) mad. It fails to respect and uphold the rights of the child at the centre of the story. She is identified despite being the alleged victim of child sex abuse and a witness in a criminal case. On top of that, the details and descriptions of her alleged behaviour violate her rights to dignity and privacy.
- Concerns voiced for children in the court system.
West Cape News article “How to breed a hardened criminal” (20/06/2010 p.13) is one to be glad about. It exposes violations of childrens’ rights in the judicial system.
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