(1) (a) The following are amongst the sustainability challenges faced by community small commercial media:
(b) Liaising with the GCIS in order to secure advertising revenue for CSCM
(2) The Ministry of Communications is facilitating the discussions and debates around the discussion document “Towards a Policy on Media Transformation and Diversity” which was drafted to focus on media transformation and diversity issues. This is currently being updated/revised with further desktop and commissioned research. Meetings have also been held with government statutory bodies, non-governmental organisations and media agencies to solicit their views. This has included organisations such as MDDA, ICASA, NABSA, Right to Know and Freedom of Expression. Issues raised in these meetings are being further investigated and incorporated into the Discussion Document. A colloquium is further being considered for 2016 to deepen our understanding of key transformation issues within the environment, to finalise scope and allow stakeholders an opportunity to present their views.
(3) (a) The MDDA Board is engaging the individual members of the PDMSA, who have requested details on the funding previously allocated; this will also be covered as part of the Social Impact Study currently being commissioned by the MDDA Board.
(b) So far meeting has been held with the Media 24 and the outcomes were positive, however the MDDA has been requested to develop a report reflecting on how the funds have been allocated to projects. There are meetings due with The Times Media, Caxton and Sekunjalo.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE