Media statement for immediate release

RE: Seminar on Wednesday 14 July on need for, and role of, a Media Development Agency

The National Community Media Forum and the Freedom of Expression Institute are holding a seminar on the need for, and role, of a Media Development Agency to foster media diversity in South Africa.The seminar will take place on Wednesday 14 July at the Parktonian Hotel, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Registration starts at 8.30. The FXI and NCMF have invited Dr. Paul Murschetz, from Public Voice Lab in Vienna, and the University of Salzburg. Dr. Murschetz is the author of a study on press subsidy systems, entitled `State Support for the press - Theory and Practice: A Survey of Austria, France, Norway and Sweden'. He will be speaking on the successes and failures of state-supported press subsidy schemes in these countries. In addition, the following South African speakers will be presenting their perspectives on the MDA:

* Joel Netshitenzhe, Government Communication and Information * System Njonjo Mue, Article 19 Mark Weinberg, Print Media * Diversity Fund Clive Emdon, Independent Media Diversity Trust * Research commissioned from Ferial Haffajee and Tracey Naughton by the FXI and NCMF will also be presented at the seminar.

Why a seminar on the Media Development Agency? Although South Africa has made progress towards achieving a divers and representative media, there is still a lot to be done. Large areas of the country have limited access to existing media. This situation cannot be allowed to continue, as access to information and freedom of expression are basic human rights that should be enjoyed by all people. Community and independent media could play a vitally important role in addressing these needs, but these media find it extremely difficult to become sustainable in the current conditions. Given the difficulties involved, many organisations, especially the community media sector, have called for the establishment of a statutory Media Development Agency to promote media diversity. While the MDA has been seen as a subsidy scheme drawing funds from several sources, including government, it would also undertake development activities to build capacity in community and independent media. The establishment of this body was endorsed by COMTASK, a task group set up by the then-Deputy President Thabo Mbeki to investigate the state of government communications in the country. The Government Communication and Information System, born out of COMTASK, has started work on establishing the MDA. This seminar is our contribution towards developing its brief, and will be followed by a series of provincial consultative meetings to ensure that the voices of all the provinces are heard on what role the Agency should play.

RSVP: Mamashoabathe Noko, at FXI, (011) 403-8403/4, ASAP. Please call if you would like a copy of the programme faxed to you.