SANEF Engages Parliament on the State of the Media
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) participated in a panel discussion before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communication and Digital Technologies on Wednesday in Pretoria. The discussion focused on the current state of the media in South Africa, with SANEF highlighting the devastating impact of economic challenges—particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic—which has led to the closure of numerous community-based print, online, and broadcast platforms. SANEF emphasised the critical role of community media in preserving and promoting Indigenous languages, calling for greater recognition and support for these platforms.
During the session, SANEF outlined its key advocacy initiatives, including efforts to enhance access to government-related information across all three spheres of administration and among state agencies.
Additionally, SANEF used the opportunity to brief the committee on its recent Indigenous Languages and Media seminars, hosted in partnership with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the United Nations in Pretoria. These seminars were aimed at strengthening the use and development of Indigenous languages through various media platforms.
Another major focus of SANEF’s engagement was its Digitisation Drive for Community Media, an initiative designed to improve the digital presence and sustainability of community media organisations. Through this pilot project, fifteen community publications and radio stations received support to establish viable, self-sustaining websites, alongside advanced leadership, and management training. The initiative equipped these media partners with essential digital tools and platforms, enhancing their content creation and distribution capabilities.
Recognising the industry-wide shift from traditional media—such as print newspapers and radio—to digital platforms, SANEF’s Digitisation Drive specifically supports independent community publishers and broadcasters in adapting to this transition. The program provided equitable access to technology and training, ensuring that community media could effectively reach and engage their audiences in the digital space.
Additionally, SANEF explained the Community Media Support Services (CMSS), as an ongoing initiative aiding media organisations that were not part of the initial pilot program. By bridging the digital divide, this initiative is helping community media remain relevant and financially sustainable.
SANEF also appealed to the government to fulfill its commitment of allocating at least 30% of its advertising budget to community media platforms. This measure would provide much-needed financial support to these platforms, empowering them to continue their vital work in promoting Indigenous languages and serving local communities.
SANEF remains committed to advocating for policies that ensure a sustainable and diverse media landscape in South Africa, with a strong emphasis on protecting press freedom and fostering media innovation.
Committee Chairperson Commits to Support the Work of GCIS and Media Sector
In a statement after the event, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communication and Digital Technologies, Ms Khusela Sangoni Diko, reiterated the committee’s commitment to collaborate with the work done by Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) and the media sector.
As part of its week-long oversight visit to Gauteng, the committee spent the whole day at the GCIS offices in Pretoria on Wednesday engaging with the GCIS on its value chain across all spheres of government as well as compliance with the 30% government Adspend for community media.
The committee was then dismayed to learn about the non-existent of policy, regulation and legislative framework upon which the GCIS can rely on to enforce this crucial undertaking by government, which was designed to augment the Media Development and Diversity Agency’s (MDDA’s) funding stream for the community media. Ms Diko said that the matter should be given attention, if the country is serious about developing the much-needed community media.
The committee also engaged with MDDA and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) on the status of community print and online media on sustainability in a digital age.
Although acknowledging the need for transformation to digital platforms and the use of artificial intelligence by the community media, the committee chairperson emphasised the importance of preserving the print community newspapers. “We call for digital first, and not digital only as we seek to transform and guarantee the sustainability of community media,” she said.
She also welcomed the Digital Media Transformation Fund set aside by AIP and Google to fund community digital media platforms, saying the initiative will go a long way in transforming the community media space.
The last part of the programme consisted of two segments of panel discussions on advertising in community newspapers and online media by GCIS, Business Unity South Africa, Media Mix and Capro as well as promotion of indigenous language media by GCIS, PanSalb and the South African National Editors Forum.
Ms Diko said that the committee will take all discussions into consideration when compiling an oversight report, which will consist of clear recommendations on the way forward.
Ends
