PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 278
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 7 February 2014
QUESTION PAPER NO: 5
DATE OF REPLY:
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:
(1) Whether the SA Broadcasting Corporation has commissioned independent
research into the public perception of its news and public affairs
programmes across all television and radio channels; if so, (a) when
was the research commissioned, (b) who conducted the research and (c)
what amounts were they paid;
(2) (a) What is the outcome of the research and (b) what steps will he
take in respect of the findings and recommendations of such research?
NW331E
REPLY:
I have been advised by the SABC as follows:-
(1) Yes
(a) The research was commissioned in February 2013 and conducted between
22 April and 25 May 2013.
(b) Qualiforce (Pty) Ltd T/A Qualitative Intelligence.
(c) R716, 024 excluding VAT.
(2) (a) The outcome of the research refers directly to public perceptions
about the SABCâs News products, however there are three major areas
which appear to need the most attention:
⢠The perception that the SABC is biased in favour of the ANC;
⢠The dull, boring uninteresting image in which the SABC in being seen;
and
⢠The inability of various groups to understand what presenters are
saying.
(b) The News Division assessed the perceptions identified in the above
report against the actual on-air product for April 2013, using the
services of an independent media monitoring and analysis company. The
SABC News is currently in the process of creating a strategy to deal
with the negative perceptions contained in the research findings.