Interviews of candidates for the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) Board: day 2

Meeting report

Candidate 1: Ms Belese Majova

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce herself and to elaborate on her skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In addition, she asked Ms Majova about the strengths and weaknesses of the MDDA Act?

Mr M Kekana (ANC): What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and Agency?

Mr R Tseli (ANC): What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr M Ndlozi (EFF): How important is media literacy and e-literacy to the equality of leadership in the country? What practical programmes can the MDDA introduce to improve media literacy in the country? What would be the impact of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) on community media? What is your understanding of the current community media environment in the country?

Mr W Madisha (COPE): Do you have enough capacity to implement the existing policies at the MDDA to ensure they work to all levels?

Mr G Davis (DA): What are the instances where press freedom should be limited? Are you currently the member of a political organisation?

Ms D Tsotetsi (ANC): What is in your understanding of robust media?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 08:08-41:10

Candidate 2: Mr Thamsanqa Ntenteni

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In addition, she asked Mr Ntenteni about the strengths and weaknesses of the MDDA Act?

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and Agency?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Ndlozi: How important is media literacy and e-literacy to the equality of leadership in the country? What could the MDDA do to promote media literacy and e-literacy? What would be the impact of DTT on community media? What is your understanding of the current community media environment in the country? What is your critique of the current media environment in the country?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capacity to implement the existing policies at MDDA to ensure they work to all levels?

Mr Davis: Are you an officer bearer of any political party? What are the instances where press freedom should be limited?

Ms Tsotetsi: How would assist the development of rural areas with the limited resources at MDDA?

Mr Ndlozi: Could you be honest about your political involvement to the ruling party as clearly stipulated in your Curriculum Vitae (CV)?

Mr Madisha: Do you have the capacity to do deal with the problem of misappropriation of funds?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 48:53-1:34      

The Chairperson indicated that the Committee would deliberate in a closed meeting on all the 13 shortlisted candidates that had been interviewed and the successful candidates would be announced in due course.

The meeting was adjourned.