The Freedom of Expression Institute is organising a stocktaking conference of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The conference is taking place on Saturday 4 November, 8.30 to 5.00, and Sunday 5 November 8.30 to 4.00, at the Parktonian Hotel, 120 de Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

This conference is being organised in view of the fact that the SABC is entering a round of restructuring to bring it into line with the requirements of the Broadcasting Act. Yet in spite of the fact that restructuring is pending, there has not been a stocktaking of how far the SABC has come so far in transforming itself into a public broadcaster. This is problematic, as a clear roadmap for the future can be based only on a clear understanding of the Corporation's past. The conference should lead to a practical programme of action around the promotion of, and in defence of, the public broadcasting mandate. The conference should also establish a set of ‘bottom-lines' with respect to restructuring, to ensure the protection and promotion of public services.

Speakers and participants will consider a number of themes, including whether: The SABC's services have become more available to all South Africans The SABC's services are able to meet the needs of audiences; The SABC is sensitive to issues around gender, race and class; The current restructuring relating to the corporatisation of the SABC may impact on Corporation's mandate, drawing on experiences of corporatisation in other public services; The SABC is being benchmarked against international developments around public broadcasting; The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa is in a position to deliver on its mandate of monitoring the public service obligations of the SABC. The SABC has established a ‘natural partnership' with the community media sector. The funding base and the organisational structure of the SABC enables or disables the public mandate.

Speakers have been invited from the SABC, non-governmental organisations, international and local trade unions and industry groups. Speakers include: Nadia Bulbulia, Children and Broadcasting Foundation Media Monitoring Project South African Municipal Workers' Union

Dimitri Martinis, Independent Media Consultant National Community Radio Forum Media Institute of Southern Africa Open Window Network International Federation of Journalists Hannes Du Buisson, President of BEMAWU Media Workers' Association of South Africa South African Union of Journalists Dr. Neville Alexander, Project for the Study of Alternative Education in SA

Inputs will focus on educational and childrens' programming, transformation of news, organisational restructuring , corporatisation and public service principles, gender, language, worker representation and union action around public broadcasting, the interface between community media and the public broadcaster, regulation and other issues.

Anyone interested in attending should RSVP with Pinky at tel (011) 403-8403, fax (011) 403-8309, e-mail: fxi@fxi.org.za by Monday 30 October. A draft programme will be available on request.

Contact: Jane Duncan Freedom of Expression Institute TEL: (011) 403-8403