Extract from the ANC policy discussion document on communications, March 5 2012

C. PRINT MEDIA TRANSFORMATION

101. In 1992, the ANC adopted a Media Charter which set out the organisation's commitment to the creation of an environment to promote media diversity and media freedom. Over the years, the ANC has successfully introduced legislation to promote and protect media freedom.

At the same time, various interventions were introduced to promote media diversity. The later include the creation of the Media Development and Diversity Agency to support community media and small commercial media outlets.

102. The print sector is still dominated by four big players, namely Naspers, Avusa, Caxton and the Independent Group. These companies also dominate the entire value chain of the market especially printing, distribution and advertising. This integration and the very market structure is perhaps the biggest barrier to market entry and potentially shows possible anti-competitive behaviour. Other mainstream media players include the M&G Media and TNA Media. Then, exist a number of small commercial print and community print media, who all face the challenge of sustainability.

103.Over the years, the ANC has remained resolute that the media including print media patterns of ownership, management and content must reflect the democratic dispensation ensuring the freedom of expression of the media, freedom of expression of the citizens as well as ensuring other rights guaranteed to South Africans in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

104.Despite protestations and evident denial the print media existed for many years as one of the pillars of the apartheid super structure providing rationale and intellectual support to apartheid practice. Whatever progressive media that fought for the democratisation of society was initiated and linked to mass democratic movement led by the ANC.

105.The apartheid patterns and behaviour that treat South Africans in an unequal and discriminatory manner sometimes manifests in some of the conduct of the print media including the content, coverage, distribution, management and opinions. Despite denials, this is natural, such attitudes and practices need to be confronted for the media to be a mirror of the present democratic dispensation. The reality arising out of this situation is that the majority of South Africans do not have media that report on and project their needs, aspirations and points of views onto the national discourse.

106. Recent reports from the Media Development and Diversity Agency and the Print Media of South Africa indicate that despite some transformational changes that have taken place since 1994, regretably the facts are that the average black ownership in SA mainstream print media to date is 14% and women participation (at Board and management levels) is 4.44%.

KEY ISSUES AND POLICY PROPOSAL

107.The ANC needs to review its own Media Charter in view of the developments that have taken place since its adoption, strides that have been made in realizing the rights enshrined in it as well as the emergence of new technologies.

108.The ANC remains committed to a media climate that is free from vested political and commercial interests. This has been the guiding principle in our engagement with the ongoing discussion on media transformation and accountability. Within this understanding, the ANC reaffirms the need for Parliament to conduct an inquiry on the desirability and feasibility of an appeals tribunal within the framework of the Constitution.

109.The envisaged Parliamentary process should reinforce the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996; review the existing media accountability mechanisms; balance the rights to dignity and freedom of expression and freedom of the media; review the privacy laws as well as those dealing with libel and defamations; and be empowered to impose sanctions without the loss of any constitutional rights.

110. The departure point of the ANC is that South Africans must enjoy the freedom of expression in the context of a diverse media environment which is reflective of their situations and daily experiences. Accordingly the following must be introduced to encourage media diversity:

a) Introduction of an economic empowerment charter to promote BBBEE in the sector. Amongst others, the Charter should address the availability of print media in languages South Africans speak and communicate with, choice of societal issues that are relected, right.

b) Strengthening the MDDA to support more community and commercial entities.

c) The Competition Commission should focus on anti-competitive practices within the sector.

Issued by the ANC, March 5 2012. The full document can be accessed here.

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