News

Move to outlaw cellphone, net porn ‘a step backwards’

DEPUTY Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba plans to submit regulations banning pornography on the internet and cellphones to the Law Reform Commission, together with other recommendations aimed at preventing access to pornography.

Ngubane denies ignoring board on TV rights deal

SABC chairman Ben Ngubane yesterday rejected allegations that he and CEO Solly Mokoetle had not consulted the board over a R20m TV rights deal, saying the negotiations were not yet complete.

MMA protests SABC appointment procedures

The Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has issued a protest statement regarding the procedural irregularities in the appointment of the new head of news for the SABC. The MMA also supports the call by SOS for the resignation of board chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane and the GCEO, Solly Mokoetle should it be found after proper investigation by the Board that the appointment was improper and contravened Corporate Governance of the SABC.

“KE NAKO” – the time is now for the SABC board

Despite the breach in corporate governance in the appointment and announcement of Phil Molefe, as head of News, to date there has been no indication that the new SABC board is incapable of fulfilling its mandate. Accordingly the actions of the SABC board are to be applauded in seeking to resolve this breach of SABC’s corporate governance rules so speedily. We are however concerned that there has not yet been any announcement as to what action will be taken against the SABC board chairperson and the SABC GCEO and we call on the Board to inform the public about what processes and investigations are being undertaken to address the breach, and to ensure its speedy resolution.

Furore over appointment of SABC Head of News

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.

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.

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.

Public Service Broadcasting Bill latest

Thank you to everyone who signed our petitions to extend the deadline for the Public Broadcasting Bill. With the pressure you helped generate, an extension was granted up to January 15, 2010.
However, currently, it seems that the Bill will be going forward without a Parliamentary Review Process. This is despite the submissions by both MMA and the SOS coalition that call for a review based on the fact that the Bill is unconstitutional and vague in its current form. The implications of the comments from the minister appear only to have been picked up by Business Day in yesterday’s edition, otherwise see the original statement.

In this newsletter:  MMA’s response to the PSB Bill, the new media for children’s website and the blog by William Bird about funding and the SABC.

Page 2 of 6 pages  <  1 2 3 4 >  Last »