Keynote address by Deputy Minister of Communications, the Honourable Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams at the celebration of the partnership between Media24, FP&M Seta and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP)
Programme Director,
Our partners in the media industry,
Colleagues from the FP&M Seta,
Association of Independent Publishers Board Members,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is great honour and a privilege to be invited to address such an esteemed audience on the occasion of celebrating the partnership between Media24, Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) and the Association of Independent Publishers. This commendable partnership has allowed 200 independent publishers to become digitally savvy.
Gathered here today are the editors, publishers, journalists and educators who contribute daily to the shaping of the South African media landscape. This is an industry that touches the lives of South Africans daily and shapes our perceptions.
Programme Director
The media have grown in leaps and bounds since being unshackled in 1994. Our constitutional commitment to freedom of expression has resulted in a robust and independent media.
Frequently overlooked in this picture are community papers which are often the heartbeat of vibrant smaller communities. A special breed of reporter works for these publications; they live and work in their communities and have a deep understanding of local issues.
These dedicated men and women are critical to their communities, and have the important task of giving their communities a voice.
I am therefore heartened by the work that the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) does with so much passion. Since its establishment in 2004, this organisation has greatly advanced the interests of the local community-based, independent print media sector.
It is particularly heartening that the 250 publishers within the AIP stable, represent a diversity and plurality of voice. Their demographics of membership reflects true media diversity in respect of ownership, language, content and target audience.
This diversity is heartening and shows the industry’s commitment towards the change that is expected after 21 years of democracy.
Colleagues
Our nation is in desperate need for diversity of voice, which represents a broad spectrum of society. Sadly many mainstream publications still fall short in representing the country’s diversity in their newsrooms and boards. As a result critical issues in certain demographics never make into the newspapers or are relegated to the back pages.
These are the stories community media are currently telling. They truly provide a diverse voice from urban areas to the smallest settlements.
This willingness to give voice to all communities is undoubtedly a reason for the burgeoning popularity and continued growth of community media. The publishers under AIP are currently printing more than 8 million newspapers per month with a significant reach of 24 million readers.
As with all services and products, community newspapers also need to constantly adapt to stay relevant. Therefore it is commendable that AIP, Media24 and FP&M SETA formed a partnership to train independent publishers on digital media.
This training programme will not only ensure the survival of community newspapers, but also push them to further growth. Now these publishers can use their mobile phones to inform, but also to be informed by the communities they serve. This two-way communication will ensure that community newspapers stay in tune with community’s needs.
Ladies and gentlemen
I would like to applaud all three partners for developing this comprehensive training programme. Firstly for AIP for identifying the digital needs among our independent publishers, the Seta for funding this programme and lastly for Media24 for training these publishers to become digitally savvy. This partnership shows that by working together much more can be accomplished in the advancement of South Africans.
I commend the independent publishers that took part in this training drive. It is an established fact that people often struggle to adjust to change. In a fast changing and increasingly technologically driven world, those who do not change risk becoming irrelevant or being left behind.
The value of education and training cannot be overstated. In three days South Africa will celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest advocates of education and training. Former President Nelson Mandela famously said: “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world."
Friends, as we celebrate Nelson Mandela Month in July, I would like to urge you all to use your platforms to build on his ideals of non-racialism, non-sexism, justice and equality. As part of this, encourage your readers to spend 67 minutes this month by making a difference in their communities.
Media in its different forms are a powerful force. From the Department of Communications’ side we will continue to support all initiatives that enhance media freedom and a greater plurality of voice.
Together we can ensure a vibrant community publishing and media space. As this partnership has proven, working together we can move media forward.
I thank you.
