Media Release
- 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.”
- Urgent call to extend deadline for Public Service Broadcasting Bill
Media policy watchdog Media Monitoring Africa, together with the SOS Supporting Public Broadcasting Coalition, is imploring the South African government for a reasonable extension to the deadline for public submissions on the proposed controversial Public Service Broadcasting Bill, from December 7 to the end of March 2010.
- MMA welcomes divorce constitutional court ruling
17 March 2009 - MMA Welcomes Constitutional Court Ruling on Section 12 of the Divorce Act
“The Constitutional Court ruling on section 12 of the Divorce Act 70 1979 is a victory for media freedom and children’s rights to dignity and privacy.” Said William Bird, director of Media Monitoring Africa (MMA).
- Save Our SABC Coalition welcomes ICASA hearing on FXI complaint
The “Save Our SABC Coalition” (“SOS”) welcomes the long awaited set down of the Freedom of Expression Institute’s (“FXI”) complaint against the SABC for hearing before the Complaints and Compliance Committee (“CCC”) of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“ICASA”) during March 2009.