http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/ Submissions reflect Media Monitoring Africa's attempts to ensure that media policies and codes are in line with South Africa's constitution. en sandrar@mediamonitoring.org.za Copyright 2010 2010-07-28T08:57:50+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/submission_to_department_of_communications_doc_on_the_icasa_amendment_bill/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/submission_to_department_of_communications_doc_on_the_icasa_amendment_bill/#When:08:57:50Z 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. Democracy and Governance, Media Freedom and Performance 2010-07-28T08:57:50+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/child_safety_measures_during_the_world_cup_how_did_we_do/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/child_safety_measures_during_the_world_cup_how_did_we_do/#When:22:00:27Z “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! Children, Democracy and Governance, Media Freedom and Performance 2010-07-25T22:00:27+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/back_to_school..._an_opportunity_wasted/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/back_to_school..._an_opportunity_wasted/#When:07:18:42Z The first day of school always gets media attention, with coverage of how children react to going to school for the first time.  The day offers the opportunity to cover children taking a big step in their lives.  Past coverage has included many images to show children’s reaction to this event.  In the interest of children’s rights in the media, various print mediums were examined during the first week of schools opening for 2010 (13-17 January 2010), to explore the coverage dedicated to the event. Children, Media Freedom and Performance 2010-02-05T07:18:42+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/mma_response_to_the_public_broadcasting_bill/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/mma_response_to_the_public_broadcasting_bill/#When:08:55:46Z 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 Democracy and Governance, Media Freedom and Performance 2010-01-20T08:55:46+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/childrens_views_not_in_the_news_portrayal_of_children_in_south_african_prin/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/childrens_views_not_in_the_news_portrayal_of_children_in_south_african_prin/#When:08:38:21Z Monitoring conducted by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) in 2003 as part of the Empowering Children & the Media (ECM) strategy showed that only 6% of all news included children. The latest data to emerge from the ECM reveals that representation of children has improved, marginally, to 8.4% of all news monitored in 2009. The monitoring shows that not only are children’s issues frequently sidelined, but un-careful and unethical reporting often leads to further violations of their rights. Gender, Children, Race, Xenophobia and Ethnicity 2009-12-15T08:38:21+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/race_and_migration_in_the_community_media_local_stories_common_stereotypes/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/race_and_migration_in_the_community_media_local_stories_common_stereotypes/#When:15:42:52Z In South Africa, racism and xenophobia, widely recognised as human rights violations, are particularly pertinent. A long history of institutionalised racism, most recently apartheid, saw the classification, segregation and discrimination of people along racial lines. It has shaped perceptions, attitudes, identities, and relationships, and left a legacy of inequality. In May 2008, xenophobia came starkly to the public’s attention, in the form of violence targeted at perceived “foreigners”, making local, national and international headlines. However, negative and discriminatory attitudes and behaviour towards migrants, or xenophobia, have long been documented as widespread and problematic in South Africa. Black immigrants in particular are victims of xenophobic attitudes and treatment. For many South Africans, community and small commercial media are not only important sources of information for communities about issues affecting them, which may include racism and xenophobia, but also about “groups” of people that they may not come into contact with. While research has helped establish how the national and provincial media cover issues of race, racism, migrants and xenophobia, little information is available about coverage by community and small commercial media. To address this need, Media Monitoring Africa conducted research into how issues of race, ethnicity, migrants, racism and xenophobia are represented in community and small commercial newspapers. Race, Xenophobia and Ethnicity 2009-12-04T15:42:52+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/the_walls_of_africa/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/the_walls_of_africa/#When:12:31:20Z Around the world people celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. It symbolised the end of the Cold War and signified the start of a new world order. The single most important question – how did it affect Africa? – is only addressed by a few newspapers in South Africa. However, the question seems more relevant today with public and political debate on nationalisation and demands for a developmental state model. Media Freedom and Performance 2009-11-23T12:31:20+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/national_and_provincial_elections_2009_a_win_or_a_place_citizens_come_last/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/national_and_provincial_elections_2009_a_win_or_a_place_citizens_come_last/#When:12:55:31Z 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. Democracy and Governance 2009-10-30T12:55:31+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/local_and_digital_content_development_strategy_for_south_africa/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/local_and_digital_content_development_strategy_for_south_africa/#When:14:26:54Z This submission addresses the following areas: 1. MMA’s Constitutional Assumptions. 2. The relationship with the MMA and the Save our SABC (SOS)-Reclaiming our Public Broadcaster Coalition. 3. Areas of concern relating to the Local and Digital Development Strategy. 4. Summary of recommendations 2009-10-20T14:26:54+00:00 http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/draft_digital_terrestrial_television_dtt_regulations_submission/ http://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/index.php/resources/entry/draft_digital_terrestrial_television_dtt_regulations_submission/#When:13:59:03Z This submission addresses the following areas: 1. MMA’s Constitutional Assumptions. 2. The relationship with the MMA and the Save our SABC (SOS)-Reclaiming our Public Broadcaster Coalition. 3. MMA’s basic assumptions of digitalisation. 4. Areas of concern relating to the draft regulations. 5. Summary of recommendations. 6. Conclusion. Media Freedom and Performance 2009-10-15T13:59:03+00:00