Minister of Communications presented the department's strategic plan before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications
Minister of Communications Ms Faith Muthambi has today (12 March 2016) tabled before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications the Strategic Plan of her departments and their entities for the 2016/17/18/19/20 financial year. The Minister’s presentation to Parliament coincides with the Department of Communications first anniversary.
The department became operational last April, following Presidential proclamation in 2014. “I’m encouraged by the progress this key department has made. Together with entities, and Portfolio Committee on Communications in the short period we have managed to create an alignment and synergies to advance important policies; from the gazetting of the Broadcasting Digital Migration policy to the Community Broadcasting support Scheme policy,” said Muthambi.
Access to community media
Over 140 Community Radio Stations have been licensed and many of these are operating. However, an estimated 90-100 municipality are without a community radio station. In this regard, the department will work with the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) to provide support to the community radio stations. Further the department will undertake studies to understand the estimated impact, if any, of the Over-The Top Service (OTTs) in the community media space.
Broadcasting Digital Migration
Over the Medium Term Strategic Framework, the departments, together with its entities will continue to play a vital role in driving strategic government communications and enabling of economic growth in the ICT sector through the broadcasting infrastructure roll-out flagship projects. In support of the National Infrastructure Plan, the Department is currently rolling-out STBs to Northern Cape and Free State. Registration is currently underway in Mpumalanga
Funding Issues
Minister Muthambi noted that there are challenges of under-funding faced by both departments, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, South African Broadcasting Corporation, Media Development and Diversity Agency, Film and Publication Board, and Brand SA. “We are working tirelessly to review their funding models to ensure long term-financial viability of these institutions as they carry their mandates respectively,” added Muthambi.
In light of the constrained economic situation, private sector advertising revenue is declining. The 60% public funding quota requirement remains a distance possibility. Public contributions to the revenues of the SABC still remains at less than 20%.This has a profound impact on the nature and extent of services provided by the SABC.
Improving Government Communications
Minister Muthambi said through the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), government will continue to make investment on government communicators by ensuring that they proper skills that will enable them to effectively communicate government programmes. Further the GCIS will develop an overarching national policy to guide government communications and expedite the implementation of the qualification for government communicators.
Following the successful Film and Publications Board conference on Cyber Safety and Child Protection with delegates from locally and other countries in the SADC region, a number of neighbouring countries requested assistance from the FPB to set up their own boards modelled on the FPB.
In support of Nation Building and Social Cohesion, the Department of Communication together, with broadcasting regulator ICASA, finalised the South African Content Review and published regulations in March 2016. This move will further increase activity in the broadcasting content market and ensure that the production sector grows from strength to strength.
The most important aspects of nation branding is ensuring consistency in the marketing initiatives and a visible presence in order to keep the brand top-of-the-mind of the targeted audience. In the recent past that Brand South Africa has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at developing and managing South Africa’s reputation here at home and the rest of the continent.
Enquiries:
Mish Molakeng
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