Question NW3747 to the Minister in the Presidency
08 January 2024 - NW3747
Manyi, Mr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency
How is his department promoting media diversity to break the mainstream media monologue and in addition ensure the independence and integrity of public broadcasting in the Republic in order to maintain a healthy democracy and free press?
Reply:
The Agency diversifies the sector through the support of community and small commercial media. The support is both financial and non-financial. The approach of the Agency in determining the diversity is through ownership of the entity, language utilised in the media entity, content being disseminated by the organisation as well as gender and disabilities disparities. Freedom of expression is a critical pillar of a healthy democracy. The support of community media and small commercial has no impediment on the public broadcaster and free press and is an extension of media channels to enhance access to information as part of democracy. The existence of a community media sector complements the work of the public broadcaster so that public news, education and information are also accessed in areas where public broadcaster has network/coverage limitation and improves reporting of matters that are of interest to communities closest to the location of community media.
NAME OF THE DRAFTER : PROF. HLENGANI MATHEBULA
DESIGNATION : MDDA BOARD CHAIRPERSON
CONTACT DETAILS : +27 82 448 9219
SIGNATURE :
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Nomonde Mnukwa (Ms)
Acting Director-General: Government Communication and Information System
(GCIS)
Date:
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Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Minister in the Presidency
Date: