Media
statement: Deadline
for comment on MDDA Draft Position Paper extended
7 December 2000
In response to requests from stakeholders,
Government has agreed to extend to 28 February 2001 the deadline
for public comment on its draft Position Paper on the Media Development
and Diversity Agency (MDDA) .
This extension will give stakeholders
time for more thorough consultations with their constituents. Amongst
those making the request were the Association of Marketers and the
Freedom of Expression Institute.
The draft Position Paper has generated
considerable interest, both in the media and in use of the MDDA
website at www.gov.za, which had received almost 600 visits by yesterday.
The launch last week was well-attended by a wide range of stakeholders,
and press coverage has been overwhelmingly positive.
The Position Paper explores how freedom
of expression and access to information, cornerstones of the country’s
constitution, can be extended. It underlines the need to overcome
historical imbalances so that the full diversity of South Africa’s
voices can be heard and all citizens can be fully informed.
The paper proposes an independent statutory
agency that will act as a catalyst towards broader changes in the
media landscape, through its funding, facilitation, advocacy and
research functions.
The Position Paper proposes that funding
averaging R60m per year for the first five years be sourced equally
from government, the media industry and donors. Thereafter the funding
needs will be much reduced as the major backlog of past imbalances
is overcome.
The MDDA was proposed by the Communication
Task Team (Comtask) report of 1996. Cabinet adopted the proposal
for an agency to assist the development of community
media and to promote media diversity.
The paper is the result of extensive
research and consultation with a range of stakeholders.
The new deadline of 28 February will
also apply to the MDDA Discussion Forum, which can be accessed on
www.gov.za, as can the Position
Paper itself. Printed copies will be available at GCIS offices around
the country from next week.
Issued by GCIS
Contact Dr Devan Pillay on 083 453 5544
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