Media Monday - hot topics and topics that make us hopping mad! 7 November 2011

Posted: 7 November 2011 | News - Newsletter | Categories: Media Freedom and Performance

Here is what’s on offer this Media Monday:

·         COP17: what do we know?

·         Is there an end to SABC woes?

·         Digital Terrestrial Television: where are the details?

COP17 coverage, more information lacking 

The COP17 website describe the event as a Conference held annually by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – which entered into force in 1995 to assess progress in dealing with climate change. “The COP adopts decisions and resolutions, published in reports of the COP.  Successive decisions taken by the COP make up a detailed set of rules for practical and effective implementation of the Convention”, the website continues.

For some of you who are internet-savvy, you can visit the link above to read on what the meeting is all about. And for the not-so-internet-savvy, the media will continue to be our main source of information on a range of national and international issues, including the COP17 (we hope!). Has the media been your main source of information regarding this Conference though?

Do you understand what exactly this conference is all about? Do you understand the crux of the matter and issues that will be under discussion at the meeting? What’s next; who will be there; who can attend; who are the main players; why is this taking place in our own backyard…?

If the media are covering the lead to the conference, is it informative enough for you as members of the public to get an idea of what it is and what it means for you; and how it involves you; why is it of your concern; why is government probably spending lots of money to play host for the event (if your money as a taxpayer is being spent, that is, and if so, how much?); and why you should care about COP17? Is the event portrayed as one for only the elite?

Get back to us on this one! Is your medium of choice reporting on the event? How have you found media coverage, if any, of COP17? Have you learnt anything through the media?

Tell us via our Facebook and Twitter platforms…

The SABC soapie continues? 

“Like sands though the hourglass, so are the days of our SABC” is a slogan that seems fitting to the unending shenanigans at the national broadcaster, SABC.

Reports a few weeks ago were of the broadcaster forking up to R246000 to pay for a consultant’s studies and travels. And then it was later revealed that the “consultant” by the name of Justice Ndaba was actually not a “consultant” but head of human resource at the SABC. But that was not all (before you start breathing a sigh of relief); the man was facing suspension from the SABC for dropping out of a certain R246000 course.

Okay, let’s replace the man then. Done! Now, who should replace him? Uhmm…

According to latest reports, the SABC is currently negotiating a short-term contract with its former head of strategy Sipho Sithole to take over the reigns left by Justice Ndaba. Now in 2009, Mr Sithole faced allegations that his private interests in the music and film industries conflicted with his role at the SABC. But according to SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, there is no problem with Sithole rejoining the SABC as he was cleared of the allegations he faced. Okay, fine…

The SABC has now issued a Request for Proposals for its stakeholder’s perception research, and is inviting potential service providers to submit proposals to assist with the research on the perceptions of key stakeholders about the SABC. Do you think the study will yield results? What do you think is the purpose of such a study: to provide a much-needed boost for the broadcaster in the wake of the recent scandals in the SABC, or will it just be yet another waste of money? And why not use existing media platforms to conduct the study, such as new media platforms, for instance?

We ask once again, is there still hope for the SABC? What do you think should be done to improve the SABC and turn it around? Any ideas, suggestions… Our Facebook and Twitter pages are always available for you to share your ideas and suggestions with us and other Media Matters Enthusiasts, and for any media-related issues in general (including “Tips4SABC”…)

Is media giving you all the details regarding the DTT? 

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is one of the most talked about phenomenon in the media and communications sectors, yet very few people, especially ordinary people who this is going to affect, know anything about it or details thereof.

The country’s communications regulator, ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of SA), published draft regulations on digital terrestrial television (DTT) for comment sometime at the end of September 2011. The draft regulations can be found in Notice 680 of Government Gazette 34642 dated 28 September 2011. The said Notice 680 includes an explanatory memorandum on ICASA’s decision to repeal the existing digital migration regulations rather than amend them. Most importantly, the deadline for comment on the proposed new regulations is upon us, scheduled for later this week on 10 November 2011.

Did (and do) you know anything about it? Do you know what the meaning of all this is? Have you seen anything about this in the media, which is usually our main sources of information and supposed to inform us on issues that concern us as the public?

Are you clear on what DTT is and details around it? One of the prominent debates around DTT is that of the set-top boxes (STBs) whose costs remain unclear. And where we will get them from also remains a mystery. There is talk of government subsidizing poor households towards the purchase of the STBs, but it’s not yet clear how much the subsidy is going to be and what criteria will be used? A related concern with that is that some families may be earning a little outside (over) the subsidy bracket (assuming the criteria will be based on families’ incomes), but still not enough to afford the STBs. We need details, figures here…

So where is the media in this critical time of need for information on DTT? Is the media communicating this to you? Are you clued up on DTT and details thereof?