Sanef Notes MultiChoice Announcement on New News Channel

29 August 2018 

Subscription broadcaster, MultiChoice announced yesterday that they had selected Newzroom Afrika to produce their new 24-hour news channel to be broadcast on DSTV in early 2019. The channel will replace the previously Gupta-owned and more recently Mzwanele Manyi-owned, Afro World View channel. The channel was previously known as ANN7.

SANEF notes the fact that the channel is a 100% black owned and 50% women owned. We also note MultiChoice and Newzroom Afrika’s stated commitment to journalism ethics and independence and the decision to establish an oversight body. Also, we acknowledge the company’s commitment to take on journalists from Afro World View and further to focus on training and development of news and broadcast industry personnel. We welcome these announcements and commitments.

As SANEF has stated previously, we believe that we need new South African voices and programming and ethical and quality journalism. We will be carefully watching this space to see if the new channel’s commitments are upheld. We also keenly await their announcements in early 2019 about their programming offerings and line-up.

As SANEF we believe that the news space is competitive. However, local programming is popular. Quality, ethical journalism offerings should survive and thrive.

For more information please contact:

Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson

083 399 2852

Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director

082 926 6404