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
- 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 Times: Crass or caring?
The Times has been inundated with letters and phone calls after publishing a picture of a newborn baby girl who was burned and dumped in open veld in Soweto on Tuesday.
- ANC asks moms not to dump babies
The ANC in Gauteng implored new mothers who did not want their babies to stop the “horrendous” practice of dumping them in the veld, dustbins and pit latrines, in response to a picture in The Times on Wednesday of a dead baby found in Soweto.
- Dead baby pic in ‘The Times’, not okay says MMA
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) is concerned about ‘The Times’ decision to publish an image of a dead infant on its front page (21/07/2010). Can such a decision be justified?
- Times Too hasty in Picture Publication
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) is concerned about The Times’ decision to publish an image of a dead infant on its front page (21/07/2010).
- A stronger, not weaker, Icasa is needed to sort out the SABC
Much of the controversy surrounding the Public Service Broadcasting Bill has focused on the proposed tax and the role of the minister of communications. Less attention has focused on the implications of the Bill for the regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
- Mandela Day
Wondering what you can do for Mandela Day? Here’s Media Monitoring Africa’s suggestion: Spend 67 minutes reading and explaining the news to your children.
It’s a small gesture but it could have a big impact. Not only could it change your child’s approach to the media but you may be surprised at how much your child can teach you!
How can you do this? Simple: do the DRIVE!
- Molefe’s appointment: minister intervenes but SOS ‘resents’ Ngubane
Dr Ben Ngubane’s ‘dictatorial’ decision to permanently appoint Phil Molefe as SABC head of news has backfired and has alienated him from the rest of the board and lobby groups, which believe the chairperson can no longer be trusted. And despite communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda acting as a peacemaker to keep Molefe out, SOS Support Public Broadcasting wants Ngubane to relinquish his crown.
- 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).
News
- A stronger, not weaker, Icasa is needed to sort out the SABC
Much of the controversy surrounding the Public Service Broadcasting Bill has focused on the proposed tax and the role of the minister of communications. Less attention has focused on the implications of the Bill for the regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
- Media ‘neglecting plight of women’
South African media are contributing to the disempowerment of women, despite the fact that issues involving gender equality, women’s poverty and health are of primary importance to the country’s agenda, according to research by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), which was released last week.
- Media’s election coverage confusing and lacks quality - MMA
As the South African general elections draw near, the media has stepped up its coverage. The Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), which monitors media content, has however expressed concern about the lack of quality of election stories that it feels confuse audiences.
- SA media ‘bungles’ elections coverage says MMA
Despite SA media’s wide and consistent coverage of the elections, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has slammed the media for what MMA perceives to be the former’s election bias and bungling. The MMA says journalists and editors have failed to comprehensively address the ‘supreme’ topics - service delivery and poverty.
- Public editor ‘would give SABC a credible face’
Broadcaster could benefit from new appointment as more interaction with the public is required. THE SABC could address its crisis of credibility through the appointment of a public editor.
- Media missing big election issues: analyst
The media should ensure that tougher questions are asked to politicians during the run up to the 2009 elections, to hold them accountable for their actions. This was the word of William Bird, Director of the Media Monitoring Africa, who spoke to VOC’s Drivetime on Wednesday, who was analysing the media coverage during this period. In research conducted by the independent body, he explained that it was found that media were not putting political parties ‘on the spot’ and questioning them about promises which they made during their previous election campaign.
- MMP rebrands to Media Monitoring Africa
The Media Monitoring Project has rebranded to become Media Monitoring Africa and relaunched their website, all this coinciding with its 15-year anniversary. The name change represents a realignment of their corporate identity to be more in-line with the work they do.
- Broadcasting Amendment Bill ‘still unworkable’
The battle to ‘save’ the SABC’s soul continues unabated and has entered a crucial phase. Towards the end of last week, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held its deliberations on the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, which could be soon adopted by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Kgalema Motlanthe. Yet the ‘Save our SABC’ coalition believes that the bill is still unworkable.
- Addressing the state of the media
Following President Mbeki’s state of the nation address, the Media Monitoring Project (MMP) would like to add the following state of the media in South Africa observations. In line with the MMP’s mandate we looked at a number of human rights issues and their relationship to the media. These include press freedom, race and racism, gender, HIV and AIDS, children, and the local government elections.
- Media Monitoring Project’s Wishlist for the Presidents State of the Nation Address
Dear Mister President,
We at the MMP submit the following wishes for the State of the Nation Address on Friday.
Resources
- 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!
- MMA response to the Public Broadcasting Bill
MMA submission on the Public Broadcasting Bill expresses deep concern about many of the aspects of the Bill, including its economic viability and constitutionality. The response requested more research into the viability of the Bill.
Key areas of concern addressed in the submission are:
- The funding model seems to be inadequate, and it is unclear whether sufficient research has been done on the feasibility and economic impact of the proposed change in funding.
- The Minister’s of Communications’ powers in the proposed Bill, which undermine the independence of the SABC itself, as well as the democratic role of Parliament.
- Legal issues, such as the need to amend several laws, such as the SABC charter changing, the mandate of the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) and aspects of the Constitution, and the.
- The lack of proper consultation, and far too limited time to do proper research by stakeholders; since the Bill is a complete overhaul of existing legislation, a two month period, over the December holidays, and lack of clear communication by the Department itself, does not constitute proper consultation
- National and Provincial Elections 2009: “A win or a place, citizens come last.”
During election time, the media has a pivotal role to play in communicating information to voters and facilitating their making of informed decisions on Election Day. For this reason Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has been monitoring coverage, gathering data and providing analysis since the first South African national and provincial elections in 1994. This report assesses the results of monitoring coverage preceding and immediately after the fourth national democratic election, which took place on 22 April 2009, and reflects findings from 56 South African print and broadcast media. While considering the media’s mandate for fairness and balance in coverage, the report also considers the quality of the coverage that deals with the issues that materially influence South African citizens’ lives and futures as a fundamental function of the right to free speech and self-determination. Furthermore, this report takes the opportunity to explicitly engage with questions of gender in the context of election coverage. The findings are based on quantitative analysis and a rating system that allows for comparison and ranking of media performance. MMA proposes that while the South African media landscape demonstrated good levels of balance and fairness in its coverage, there is an opportunity to develop greater rigour in dealing with topics of importance to citizens, in order to better inform voters on key election issues.
- 2009 Election Coverage: Did media assist citizens in making an informed decision?
In Media Monitoring Africa’s final weekly report on the 2009 Elections, we focus on the overall performance of media in terms of their role in enabling South African citizens to fully and effectively participate in their democracy through the provision of relevant and timely information in the lead up to the elections on April 22.
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
- Threatening murder is not okay
The recent tragic death of five children has stirred up outrage in many South Africans, including children, who have been protesting outside the Soweto magistrate’s court. Many of the images of children ‘baying for Jub Jub’s blood’ have escaped comment, other than to note that there have been threats to his life. In contrast, the Sowetan included an editorial on Friday (12/03/2010, p. 18) on children threatening violence against Jub Jub.
- Varied Views on Child Abuse Case by the Media
Three very distinct reporting styles in covering one story of the 6 year-old boy abused by his foster parent, shows how one story can be perceived through different lenses. The Sunday Times (17/01/2010, p. 8), the Daily Sun (19/01/2010, p. 4), and The Star (18/01/2010, p. 2) have all given their own rendition in covering this story and have given it precedence in their publications.
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