Briefing
to Portfolio Committee on Communications
24 February 1999
A summary of the
question and answer session at the GCIS budget vote presentation
The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee
on Communication, Mr Moeti opened the briefing at 09:45 and welcomed
the GCIS Secretariat to a joint Parliamentary and NCOP sitting.
He indicated that the joint sitting was cost-effective yet did not
preclude either Houses from requesting an extra briefing of the
GCIS Secretariat.
After the presentations a question and answer session followed. The most salient questions were.
Q: The public has an appalling
perception/image of MPs, who are seen as being on the gravy train
and not doing much. What can GCIS do to change the public awareness?
A: It is the responsibility
of the GCIS to promote democracy and human rights amongst the South
African population. There needs to be an understanding of the role
of MPs, MPLs and local government councillors. We need to explain
the different forums available to the public to ensure their participation
in the law-making process. The GCIS has begun discussions with the
communicators in Parliament around a possible relationship; but
we should be sensitive to the guidelines of the relationship between
the Executive and Parliament as well as political parties. Parliamentarians
themselves could give input on this to the Presiding Officers.
Q: How does the GCIS intend
addressing the issue of language? How will the needs of all languages
be accommodated, specifically Afrikaans?
A: We have produced leaflets
and radio packages around the President’s speech in all eleven
languages. Although our focus will be development communication
we will not ignore other needs. A section of the previously disadvantaged
people speak Afrikaans.
Aside from literate members of the
public we need to ensure that other needs are met in creative ways
through forms like folk-lore, videos community liaison forums and
so forth.
Q: A big portion of the
GCIS budget goes to personnel costs. Which urgent posts have been
granted for this year?
A: Our establishment has increased
by between 80 and 87 staff members. However, these posts have been
budgeted for.
Q: The Provincial GICs are
not equipped with Internet, when will they be?
A: This process is under way.
This had been suspended during the transition from SACS to GCIS.
Q: How are you dealing with
the issue of attracting communication specialists if you are unable
to offer a competitive salary as you have indicated?
A: The new Public Service Regulations
deal more adequately with a remedy for this issue. At present one
is allowed to make a Buy Offer to meet the incumbent’s current
salary.
Q: What role will the GCIS
be playing in the elections?
A: We will be scaling down our
activities closer to the elections. Discussions are under way with
the IEC and the Electoral Institute of South Africa as to the role
Government Communication should play during the election so as not
to promote one party’s interests. The GCIS will continue with
its normal campaigns like Masakhane and Aids.
Q: Was the GCIS asked to
assist the Department of Home Affairs and the IEC with election
registration?
A: We offered our assistance
earlier on, but due to the sensitivity of the issue we did not assist.
We recently held discussions with the IEC and assisted around the
January registration period and we will be continuing with this.
Q: Do you have any specific
programme for the March phase of the election?
A: Yes, a programme which will
reach rural communities via radio, billboards and taxis.
Q: An important task of
the GCIS is to inform and educate the grassroots yet the budget
for the Provincial and Local Liaison Directorate is the lowest compared
to Media Liaison. Is your emphasis not incorrect?
A: The assessment of the GCIS
Budget is an ongoing process and it is reviewed constantly. However,
remember that Provincial Governments have their own budgets for
provincial communication. We further need to find the right ratio
between Corporate Services and Communication. The retraining and
development of people will be considered in this regard.
Q: What role does the GCIS
play in disseminating information to foreign/trade missions?
A: Our International Relations
Section has sketched a Business Plan. We are discussing relevant
issues with DFA to find efficient cost-effective ways to disseminate
information to our missions. This includes developing information
capacity in missions. Further we are busy developing an International
Marketing Strategy with role-players like the DFA, Investment South
Africa and Satour. Research into international perceptions of South
Africa is under way. After wide consultation the GCIS will
present a memo to the Cabinet on the matter.
Q: What role is the GCIS
playing in the restructuring of PANA and other continental activities?
A: The GCIS, together with Deputy
Minister Essop Pahad, has been involved in this process. Its role
will be determined at a later date when the privatisation process
is completed. The GCIS also has ongoing relationships with colleagues
in SADC. The GCIS will also be contributing to a conference of African
journalists which will be held later this year re the African Renaissance.
Q: How will GCIS contribute
to media diversity and, for example, the anti-competitive nature
of newspapers?
A: We have had ongoing discussions
with newspaper proprietors. Persons to work on media diversity issues
will join the GCIS staff in March. By the first quarter of next
year we plan to have draft regulations on media diversity in place;
and later to set up the Media Development Agency.
Q: What kind of co-operation
does the GCIS receive from provinces, particularly the Western Cape
and Kwazulu-Natal?
A: We have ongoing interaction
with both provinces. Representatives from both provinces have attended
our communicators consultative conferences. While there were problems
in relation to the Western Cape at the beginning, these are being
resolved.
Q: How many functions are
outsourced or will be outsourced?
A: We will maintain some production
capacity. We have a small capacity for radio, video, design and
photography. But in some instances actual production such as pinting
is outsourced. We assist other departments upon request.
Q: If you have had problems
finding the ‘right people’ to employ are you considering
employing people with potential and training them?
A: One needs to strike a balance
between employing communication specialists and people with potential.
It depends on the kind of post and immediate requirements
Q: What plans does the GCIS
have for transforming its regional offices?
A: The strategy for transforming
communication at provincial level is being formulated in consultation
with provincial and local government through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The GCIS has embarked on a thorough assessment of all the GICs.
In the process we are reviewing accessibility and visibility. Our
focus will be community based with forums such as District Councils
and TLCs and Multi-Purpose Community Centres.
Q: Should we not broaden
Parliamentary coverage to the public even further as opposed to
DSTV and M-Net’s Parliamentary Channel?
A: The GCIS has met with DSTV
and M-Net on the issue of broadening viewership. Consultations will
take place with the SABC on this matter. Important questions around
funds need to be explored. The GCIS would definitely like to improve
the image of Parliament, within the parameters of the principle
of the separation of powers.
Q: How do you intend making
your building more functional with a Corporate Identity?
A: The GCIS is working on the
project with the Department of Public Works . A decision will be
taken later.
Q: Is the GCIS monitoring
government department’s expenditure on rural areas, women and
children and imparting this information?
A: The GCIS intends tracking
these trends as from the next financial year.
Mr Moeti thanked the GCIS Secretariat
for the presentation. He was pleased with the goodwill from the
department. He hoped the relationship between the two parties would
grow from strength to strength. He further congratulated the GCIS
on its wonderful work and thanked the staff for their openness and
transparency during the Portfolio Committee’s visit to the
GCIS. The presentations were well focused and well prepared Mr Moeti
added.
top
|
