Interviews of short-listed candidates for Media Development and Diversity Agency Board

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Communications and Digital Technologies

05 November 2013
Chairperson: Mr E Kholwane (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

The Committee met to conduct interviews for the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

The following short-listed candidates were interviewed by the Committee:

Mr Howard Plaatjies
Mr Ronald Williams
Mr Ratha Ramathlape
Ms Noxolo Mtana
Ms Nosipho Kota
 

Meeting report

Interviews of Candidates for MDDA Board
The following questions were asked to the short-listed candidates:

●Candidates were asked why they thought they were the most suitable to be appointed to the Board and what they would bring to the MDDA in terms of their skills.

●Candidates were asked about their understanding of the MDDA Act and how it complied with the Constitution of South Africa.

●They were asked about their understanding of the policies like the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the King Code of Governance Principles.

●Candidates were asked to explain their experience in the communications industry and what active participation they had in the media whether through their own small media organisation or involvement in the mainstream media.

●They were asked how smaller emerging community media- electronic or print- should be funded. Should they be funded by Government, register as non-profit organisations or raise money through charitable donations?

●Candidates were asked to expand on how they viewed the funding model of MDDA.

●They were asked whether the funding model of the MDDA itself was sufficient. How would they ensure its sustainability?

●Candidates were asked whether their political affiliations would hinder them from performing their duties professionally, and how they would deal with it.

●Candidates were asked how they would make sure that there were mechanisms to promote diversity and development in the communications industry.

●Candidates were asked about their understanding on the issues of corporate governance.

●They were asked whether they could be disqualified in terms of Section 16 the MDDA Act.

●Candidates were asked if they would commit full-time to the MDDA Board.

●They were asked why they wanted to be members of the MDDA Board.

●They were asked if they believed that after the initial funding from Government there should on-going funding from Government or if there should be a cut off period.

●They were asked whether they would have enough time for undivided attention of the MDDA Board since they hold directorships from other companies.

●They were asked if the MDDA should exist if the Government Communications Information Services (GCIS) existed and was also part of Government.

●Candidates were asked whether in terms of their research on mass media if they had identified any mass media model which was applied elsewhere and could be implemented in South Africa.

●They were asked about media diversity and what indicators could be used to measure this.

●They were asked how media plurality could be protected in the country.

●Candidates were to explain whether the MDDA was giving enough support to local community media- electronic or print- so as to ensure their sustainability, and if appointed to the Board how they would ensure the sustainability of community media projects.

●They were asked to explain what were the biggest challenges faced by local community media at the moment.

●Candidates were asked how they felt about performance of the individual members of the MDDA Board, and what would be their expectations of the management of the MDDA.

●They were asked what they would do to ensure rural communities received information.

●They were asked to explain the strength and weaknesses of MDDA, and what they would do to improve the organisation.

●They were asked to explain their understanding of the functions of MDDA Board.

●Candidates were asked if they had the appropriate skills to be appointed to the MDDA Board.

●Candidates were asked what they were bringing to ensure the MDDA carried out its mandate and what inhibited it from carrying out its mandate.

●They were asked if there was any conflict of interests that would disqualify them from being considered for the MDDA Board.

●Candidates were asked what they would do to ensure corporate governance at the MDDA, and how they would ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the MDDA Board.

●They were asked how they felt about the independence of MDDA and its role as an institution.

Refer to audio recording for responses.
 

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