News
- Media Monitoring Africa protests SABC appointment procedures
We note with great concern the apparent procedural irregularities in the appointment of the new head of news for the SABC. It is deeply disappointing that the SABC should have followed such a lengthy interview and appointment process for the new head of news only for it to be sabotaged in the selection and announcement of the successful candidate.
- ANCYL to expose ‘corrupt’ journos
A mud-slinging campaign by the ANC Youth League against some South African journalists is set to continue with a threat to name at least one newspaper staff member it claims has been bribed.
- Women play secondary role in news, global media project finds
GENEVA — The Chinese proverb that women hold up half the sky does not apply to the news arena, results of the 2010 Global Media Monitoring Project suggest.
“Only 24 percent of persons seen, heard, or read about in the news are female,” said the project, coordinated by the Toronto-based World Association for Christian Communication, in a preliminary report released in Geneva. The findings are on the agenda of the 54th session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women in New York from March 1-12.
- Preliminary report of the 2010 Global Media Monitoring Project
Only 24% of persons seen, heard, or read about in the news are female.
This is one of the key findings of the 2010 Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) The preliminary report is being released on 2 March 2010 at a panel discussion and debate on the occasion of the 54th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
- Comment on the Public Service Broadcasting Bill
In this videoclip, William Bird of Media Monitoring Africa speaks with Polity’s Amy Witherden on the controversial Public Service Broadcasting Bill, which was released for public comment in October 2009.
- e.tv Journo Court Appearance: Case Postponed
e.tv news editor Ben Said and reporter Mpho Lakaje appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court this morning, Monday, 25 January 2010, in connection with the private station’s refusal to hand over what the police called ‘sensitive information’ pertaining to the security of the state. But the matter has been indefinitely postponed to allow the ‘South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) agreement’ to be honoured.
- Journalists subpoenaed after story on thugs’ World Cup plans
MEDIA analysts have questioned a police decision to have two eNews journalists subpoenaed, after a story was broadcast on criminals’ plans for the Soccer World Cup.
Reporter Mpho Lakaje’s story, aired last Friday, featured interviews with two criminals. One said he would rob tourists during the World Cup. Another said he would shoot his way out of a standoff with police if he felt his life was in danger.
- SOS submission on Public Service Broadcasting Bill calls for urgent policy review process
The SOS: Supporting Public Broadcasting Coalition, of which MMA is a part, submitted their submission on the Public Service Broadcasting Bill on Friday 15 January 2010.
The Coalition wishes to recognise and applaud the Department of Communications and the Minister of Communications for trying to act swiftly in bringing about much-needed legislative reform. The Coalition welcomes the sense of urgency and energy behind the Proposed Bill. That said, the Coalition is also of the view that while the Bill has a number of positive elements which we certainly support, there are unfortunately a number of problems with it as currently drafted which, if not addressed, will result in the latter not being able to be passed by Parliament.
Overall the Coalition argues that the Bill is premature and that it needs to be proceeded by a substantive policy review process.
- Children’s Views Not in the News
For Immediate Release 15 December 2009
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), as part of its Empowering Children and the Media (ECM) strategy, today released its research results of selected print media’s coverage of children and children’s rights in the news.
The report reveals that children, children’s rights and their issues are afforded very little coverage in the South African media. The latest data to emerge from the ECM reveals that representation of children has improved, marginally, to 8.4% (from 6% in 2003) of all news monitored in 2009. MMA Director, William Bird, said, “The marginal representation is damning, considering that figures from Stats SA show that children account for around 37 to 40% of South Africa’s population. Not only does this mean that the core issues of such a substantial portion of our population are not being covered, but it also highlights the media’s failure to seize a great opportunity to attract younger readers.”