At the parliamentary public hearings on the state of advertising and marketing on 6 and 7 November 2001, a recommendation was made that all industry stakeholders should address serious transformation challenges facing the industry in South Africa. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and the Department of Communications (DoC) were mandated to spearhead the process.
Draft legislation on the establishment of a Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) was approved by Cabinet on Wednesday for submission to Parliament.
It is expected that the Bill will be tabled in the National Assembly by the Minister in the Presidency during December, after being certified by the State Law Adviser. It is anticipated that Parliament will invite the public to comment on the Bill in January, with a view to holding Public Hearings in February or March.
6 November 2001
MPCCs are making a difference in the lives of the majority of South Africans
Vaal Triangle - Multi-purpose Community Centres (MPCCs) have been identified by government as key in the successful implementation of the government's integrated approach towards service delivery and development, bringing much needed services closer to communities that need them desperately.
The South African government has confirmed with CNN officials that there is no truth to an e-mail message being circulated; quoting "CNN News flash", that US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, hinted that South Africa might be implicated in the tragedy that has befallen the US.
The message is simply and utterly a hoax.
The South African government hopes that the media, both here and abroad, will handle this piece of psychological and financial terrorism with the contempt it deserves.
The SA government views the withdrawal of the USA delegation or any other delegation as unfortunate and unnecessary. It will be unfortunate if a perception were to develop that the USA’s withdrawal from the Conference is merely a red-herring demonstrating an unwillingness to confront the real issues posed by racism in the USA and globally.
In the light of queries from the media and comments on the costs of the government advertisement campaign concerning the general strike called by Cosatu, GCIS wishes to provide the following information:
The total cost was R838 973,45.
This sum should be seen in the context of the issues at stake and the national costs at play.
The views expressed in a letter published in the Cape Argus on 30 May and signed by Mr Al-Ameen Kafaar, Deputy Director: Parliamentary Liaison, GCIS, in no way reflect the views of the government or the GCIS.
Mr Kafaar's letter concerned the antiretroviral therapy programme being implemented in Khayelitsha by Médecins sans Frontières.
Mr Kafaar has since confirmed that he was writing in his personal capacity.
Enquiries
Nad Pillay
Cell: 082 553 7980
Responses to the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) draft position paper were received from a wide range of organisations and individuals by the submission deadline yesterday.
The draft paper was published by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on 29 November 2000, and the initial deadline for submissions was extended to 28 February 2001.
In response to media queries regarding the assessment of the situation in South Africa by The Economist of 24 February 2001, government wishes to state that the Survey is a contribution to discourse on critical challenges facing our country and the efforts of government and all South Africans to tackle these challenges.
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.
