As this South African media blog comes to an end, I'd like to talk a little bit about the current and future presence of its media and all its forms, both old and new, and more importantly, emerging journalistic mediums that will lay the ground work for the future.
Right now, traditional newspapers are pretty much static, but there has been an enormous growth in tabloid journalism. There has also been a huge growth in magazines published by four major media houses and by specialist independent published. Many of these magazines are distributed internationally, like Heat, FHM, Elle, GQ, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, and made available under agreement with their international owners.
Just like in any fast-paced first world nation, online media is accessed via cellphones, through RSS feeds and through national and international news websites and chat rooms.
*Regulation*
Broadcasting and telecommunications are regulated by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, which also issues broadcasting licenses.
Public broadcasting is provided by the state broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) through an annual payment of a TV license fee. Free-to-air is provided by commercial broadcaster E.TV and subscription television services (MNet and DStv) are provided by Multichoice.
*Radio*
Radio has a big audience, with community stations catering to specific target audiences and national stations drawing in people across the country.
By March 2009 there were 21 daily newspapers, 27 major weeklies, 660 consumer magazines, 735 trade magazine publications, 470 community newspapers and magazines, 92 television stations, 137 radio stations and over 65 DStv audio channels
*Digital Media*
In 2010, digital media had 10.9 internet users per 100 people, 8.5 personal computers per 100 peolpe and 72.4 cellphone subscribers per 100 people. Web pages indexed by Google were estimated at more than 10 billion.
Media Consumers*
According to a 2009 All Media Products Study by the South African Advertising Research Foundation, 48.6 percent of South African's adult population (over the age of 16) read newspapers, 31.4 read daily papers and 35.4 read weekly papers.
Mainstream newspapers circulation is fairly flat, according to figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulation of South Africa (ABC). But this statistic is balanced by massive growth in the new tabloid-style papers aimed at the mass market.
*Media Owners*
South Africa's media is dominated by a handful of Large corporations, with their interests going as far from newspapers to magazines and the internet. Radio is mostly the domain of the state broadcaster, the SABC, although there is a growing number of community stations.
There are seven major players in television: The SABC, which has three channels, e.tv and Multichoice, which has sewn up the pay channel market. Its bouquet is large and it regularly adds new channels.
There are plenty of small, independent media houses, which publish magazines as well as in-house and business-to-business journals. But the major media owners are Media24, Independent News and Media, Avusa, and the Caxton and CTP Group. These four own almost all the major newspapers and community newspaper, most of the consumer magazine titles and a slew of specialist magazines, and also have a finger in internet and broadcast pies.
Media24 owns the Daily Sun, a new mass-market tabloid. Media24 Magazines publishes more than 60 titles-some jointly with other companies or under licensing agreements with international titles-selling more than 5.9-million magazines a month that are read by more than 8.7-million people.
Independent News and Media owns 14 national and regional newspapers, publishing newspapers in most of the major cities (Johannesburg, Durban). The company also has some presence in the community newspapers and magazine markets.
Multichoice, the subscription television channel, was founded in 1986. Today it has a range of general entertainment and niche channels and broadcasts to over 2 million subscribers in 41 countries across Africa.
Its operations include subscriber management services and digital satellite television platforms broadcasting 24 hours a day on its DStv platform.
THE FUTURE...
The future of journalism in South Africa is leaning towards local newspapers for local readers, in a tabloid style.
Contents is changing too and becoming more focused on human interest and focused on local community, local investigations and often uses local languages.
The stories are big on superstition, violet crime and local interest, with little or no sense of the bigger picture and no analysis.
Overall readership figures are up, according to the latest AMPS report. Although the older and more traditional titles may be in some trouble, as they are in the US, sales figures are increasing. there was a 43.18% increase in newspaper circulation between 2002 and 2006 and an increase in the number of tabloid publications. A further increase to 48.6 between 2007 and 2008 has taken place and tabloid publications are still well ahead.
The reason for this boom have been linked to increasing literacy, less political repression, the privatization of the media, better infrastructure and higher domestic incomes.
Citizen journalism has some way to go still. The Times are trying it and Avusa launched Repoter.co.za, a news website that's written entirely by its readers. To date it has over 3,800 registered reporters who file content on a daily basis.
Press freedom is slipping a little bit in the press freedom index, from 31 in 2005 to 44 in 2006. The print media is not as regulated as broadcast media and there is no clear legislation oh how it should behave. The only recourse is the Press Ombudson of South Africa and the Electric Communications Act.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Man shows off first full face transplant in the US
26-year-old Dallas Wiens was visibly moved as he described how his young daughter called him "handsome" and how the first whiff of hospital food was so tantalizing and how there no words to thank the anonymous donor and his family.
"I can never express what has been done, what I have been given," said Wiens at a press conference with doctors who performed the operation in Brigham and Women's hospital in the north-eastern city of Boston.
The worlds first full face transplant was unveiled last year by doctors in Spain, a European feat that followed the first partial face transplant in 2005, performed on a French woman who had been mauled by a dog.
Wiens, who lives in Texas, burned his face off in November 2008 after the left side of his head touched an electrical wire while he was working up high in a cherry picker.
The high voltage electrical wire destroyed his nose and lips and also blinded him. He lost his left eye in the accident and has no light perception remaining in his right eye.
The hospital said Wiens was not likely to resemble the donor.
"The underlying facial bones and muscle of the recipient will change the shape of the facial tissue graft from the donor and will largely determine its shape and final appearance," it said in the a statement.
At the press conference, Wiens wore black sunglasses and a dark goatee beard and appeared swollen on one side of his face.
"To me it feels natural. It feels as if it has become my own."
Plastic surgeon Bohdan Pomahac led the team of physicians, nurses and anesthesiologists who worked for more than 15 hours to replace Wiens's nose, lips, facial skin, nerves and muscles.
"He was quite literally a man without a face," said Pomahac.
The operation was done in March by a 30-strong team at Brigham and Woman's hospital, which hailed the first full face transplant performed in the United States as a sign of medical progress.
"Of the surgeons, Jeffrey Janis of Parkland Hospital said, "In plastic surgery this represents, at least in my mind, a new frontier of reconstructive surgery, of what is possible now."
"This really opens up an immense amount of doors, and represents a lot of hope where maybe before there was none."
"People do not appreciate cops-" Cele
He was speaking at the funeral of Constable Noluthando Zakwe, 25, and her fiance, police clerk S'bahle Buthelezi, 24, at Grennwood Park, Durban.
The pair were shot and killed in Zakwe's driveway a week ago.
Police arrested Zwelihle Gumede, 32, a cousin of Buthelezi, in connection with the murders last week. Zakwe, who was seven months pregnant, and Buthelezi were expected to marry later this year. Cele told mourners her was tired of burying police officers.
"My spirit is becoming tired; I cannot bear this any more," he said. "In this past week I have been at memorial services and funeral services of police officers. Just yesterday, Captain Mervin Reddy, a policeman in Pinetown, was buried and a few weeks ago it was a policewoman in Gauteng."
Reddy, of the crime and intelligance unit, was shot and killed in the driveway of his Newlands West home on Friday. His cellphone, gun and vehicle were taken. No arrests have been made.
Cele said the deaths of 25 officers since the beginning of this year was a "crisis."
He said the past three weeks had been difficult for police because they had come under attack from society and the media for the death of Ficksburg teacher Andries Tatane, which he labelled a "mistake." Video of this is below:
Tatane was shot with rubber bullets and beaten by riot police during service protest at Ficksburg last month. Cele said, "We are being tested. South Africans do not appreciate us...they do not know that we are gold."
He said South Africans did not know that about 2,000 local police officers would be going to Equatorial Guinea to assist with the African Union Summit next month and had also been asked to share their skills with Brazil, host of the 2014 World Cup.
"Our police are only appreciated outside of the country and not at home. Here we are being persecuted," said Cele.
Swiss bank reports loss in first nine months/Hollywood and Bollywood ink deal
Geneva- The Swiss National Bank reported Friday a 8.5 billion franc (8.71 billion dollars) loss in the first nine months of 2010, citing exchange rate loss as the main reasons.
However, according to SNB, earnings on foreign currency investments and valuation gains on gold and the UBS stabilization fund "all had a positive impact on the result," a statement said.
It mentioned that risks from the stabilization fund, set up to support banking giants UBS in 2008 when the crisis -hit bank needed a bailout, were declining in the first three quarters this year.
The appreciation of Switzerland's currency this year, owing to its status as a safe haven and the impact of monetary policy decisions in other countries, led to exchange rate losses that totaled 21.2 billion frances, data showed.
Central bankers have warned as recently as last week that they were ready to act if the rising franc would cause deflationary risks. They are already predictions that Swiss inflation could turn negative for a brief period next year.
The SNB earlier this year made market interventions to weaken the franc versus the euro, but in June stopped purchasing foreign currencies, saying deflation risks have "largely disappeared," though economic conditions have since changed once again.
Regarding its gold, the bank said it holds 1.040 tonnes of the precious metal in the form of currency reserves and made 4.6 billion frances in valuation gains this year, as the price of gold has skyrocketed.
Another story is below, and it looks like Hollywood and Bollywood going to be creating films together:
Hollywood, Bollywood ink deal on films
New Delhi- The worlds two leading film industries have announced an agreement to strengthen joint productions and commercial cooperation, a press release said Thursday.
Between the two, the US and Indian film industries (Hollywood and Bollywood) produce most of the world's commercial films.
The pact between the city of Los Angeles-home to Hollywood- and the Indian film industry represented by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India and Film Federation of India was signed at the Paramount Pictures Studios, a statement issued by the Motion Picture Association of America said.
Hollywood and Bollywood, "agree to develop and strengthen motion picture production, distribution, technology, content protection and commercial cooperation between the two film-making communities."
The two sides also aim at creating a joint film council to encourage Indian film production in Los Angeles.
India has always held fascination for Hollywood and this agreement pulls us closer together with the aim of sharing ideas and best practices on domestic and international film production," said producer Bobby Bedi, who represented the Indian delegation.
However, according to SNB, earnings on foreign currency investments and valuation gains on gold and the UBS stabilization fund "all had a positive impact on the result," a statement said.
It mentioned that risks from the stabilization fund, set up to support banking giants UBS in 2008 when the crisis -hit bank needed a bailout, were declining in the first three quarters this year.
The appreciation of Switzerland's currency this year, owing to its status as a safe haven and the impact of monetary policy decisions in other countries, led to exchange rate losses that totaled 21.2 billion frances, data showed.
Central bankers have warned as recently as last week that they were ready to act if the rising franc would cause deflationary risks. They are already predictions that Swiss inflation could turn negative for a brief period next year.
The SNB earlier this year made market interventions to weaken the franc versus the euro, but in June stopped purchasing foreign currencies, saying deflation risks have "largely disappeared," though economic conditions have since changed once again.
Regarding its gold, the bank said it holds 1.040 tonnes of the precious metal in the form of currency reserves and made 4.6 billion frances in valuation gains this year, as the price of gold has skyrocketed.
Another story is below, and it looks like Hollywood and Bollywood going to be creating films together:
Hollywood, Bollywood ink deal on films
New Delhi- The worlds two leading film industries have announced an agreement to strengthen joint productions and commercial cooperation, a press release said Thursday.
Between the two, the US and Indian film industries (Hollywood and Bollywood) produce most of the world's commercial films.
The pact between the city of Los Angeles-home to Hollywood- and the Indian film industry represented by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India and Film Federation of India was signed at the Paramount Pictures Studios, a statement issued by the Motion Picture Association of America said.
Hollywood and Bollywood, "agree to develop and strengthen motion picture production, distribution, technology, content protection and commercial cooperation between the two film-making communities."
The two sides also aim at creating a joint film council to encourage Indian film production in Los Angeles.
India has always held fascination for Hollywood and this agreement pulls us closer together with the aim of sharing ideas and best practices on domestic and international film production," said producer Bobby Bedi, who represented the Indian delegation.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Joint tourism marketing agreement initiated
Originally published by South Africa-The Good News:
Cape Town Tourism, Johannesburg Tourism and Durban Tourism met at the 2011 Tourism Indaba this weekend to initiate a joint marketing agreement between the three cities. These cities are South Africa's economic and tourism hot spots and the marketing agreement will see them collaborate to maximize tourism development and marketing.
The three organizations agree that cities are the lead brands for countries. Cities are globally recognized as the window through which countries are viewed and are described as a country's most durable assets. Cities have history, heritage that has stood the test of time as well as promising developmental futures.
The joint agreement is the outcome of the three cities reassessing strategies and committing to go beyond the tradition to challenge compartmentalized marketing thinking. "Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban tell three very different and unique but complementary stories. I strongly believe that we add value to each other's leisure and business tourism offering and I think that this will also go a long way towards providing the prospective international traveller with a seamless impression of destination South Africa. The time has come for us to use creative and innovative ways to maximize the domestic and international leisure as well as business tourism potential, for all three cities," says Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.
Lindiwe Kwele, CEO of Johannesburg Tourism added: "All three cities have the confidence to define themselves in the minds of out markets. Johannesburg is a frontier city and personifies urban chic, achievement and a sophisticated energy. Duban is diverse, with a leading port city that exemplifies warmth and tradition. Cape Town is a city of inspiration, hope and freedom with a rich cosmopolitan culture set against the backdrop of unprecedented natural beauty."
The joint marketing forum will see high-level collaboration on marketing and branding initiatives and knowledge exchange on an executive level. The will look at improved city branding and how the unique offering of all three cities are being presented and packaged to both domestic and international travelers.
Philip Sithole of the Kwini Municipality's Business Support and Tourism concluded: "One of the secrets of a winning destination is for cities to realize that we are brands; that we should harness our assets. Positive perception, unique identities, authentic experiences and a powerful story is the armory of a successful city brand. The joint marketing agreement is a formal recognition of our synergies and will go a long way to present a conducive and integrated city tourism experience for both demestic and international travellers."
The three organizations agree that cities are the lead brands for countries. Cities are globally recognized as the window through which countries are viewed and are described as a country's most durable assets. Cities have history, heritage that has stood the test of time as well as promising developmental futures.
The joint agreement is the outcome of the three cities reassessing strategies and committing to go beyond the tradition to challenge compartmentalized marketing thinking. "Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban tell three very different and unique but complementary stories. I strongly believe that we add value to each other's leisure and business tourism offering and I think that this will also go a long way towards providing the prospective international traveller with a seamless impression of destination South Africa. The time has come for us to use creative and innovative ways to maximize the domestic and international leisure as well as business tourism potential, for all three cities," says Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.
Lindiwe Kwele, CEO of Johannesburg Tourism added: "All three cities have the confidence to define themselves in the minds of out markets. Johannesburg is a frontier city and personifies urban chic, achievement and a sophisticated energy. Duban is diverse, with a leading port city that exemplifies warmth and tradition. Cape Town is a city of inspiration, hope and freedom with a rich cosmopolitan culture set against the backdrop of unprecedented natural beauty."
The joint marketing forum will see high-level collaboration on marketing and branding initiatives and knowledge exchange on an executive level. The will look at improved city branding and how the unique offering of all three cities are being presented and packaged to both domestic and international travelers.
Philip Sithole of the Kwini Municipality's Business Support and Tourism concluded: "One of the secrets of a winning destination is for cities to realize that we are brands; that we should harness our assets. Positive perception, unique identities, authentic experiences and a powerful story is the armory of a successful city brand. The joint marketing agreement is a formal recognition of our synergies and will go a long way to present a conducive and integrated city tourism experience for both demestic and international travellers."
Foreign miners submit Zimbabwe ownership plan
Originally published in the Sunday Times:
A government notice issued on March 25th by Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere gave miners 45 days to provide plans on how they would comply with a law that seeks to give stakes of at least 51% to locals.
Kasukuwere said, "most of the major mines are with us and they are cooperating. What is left is for us to evaluate the substance of their co-operation to see if it meets our expectations."
Although the 45 days have passed, the closing date hasn't come yet because it is 45 days excluding public holidays and weekends. By this calculation the deadline would extend to June 2nd. Foreign mining companies then have until September 30th to comply with the law and surrender 51%.
Kasukuwere told Reuters last week that Zimbabwe's government is strapped for cash and would not pay any money for the mining stakes but would base any payment negotiations on the state's ownership of the southern African country's untapped mineral wealth.
He said on Monday that Kazakh the mining group ENRC and Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company, which is owned by Sinisteel of China, had also submitted their local ownership proposals.
"The companies are continuing to come in with their plans," Kasukuwere said.
The coalition government, formed by bitter foes President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is divided over the implementation of the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act, signed into law in 2008. But critics say this will harshly hurt the country's economic recovery prospects.
Tsvangirai has called the empowerment drive "looting and plunder by the greedy elite.
Kasukuwere said, "most of the major mines are with us and they are cooperating. What is left is for us to evaluate the substance of their co-operation to see if it meets our expectations."
Although the 45 days have passed, the closing date hasn't come yet because it is 45 days excluding public holidays and weekends. By this calculation the deadline would extend to June 2nd. Foreign mining companies then have until September 30th to comply with the law and surrender 51%.
Kasukuwere told Reuters last week that Zimbabwe's government is strapped for cash and would not pay any money for the mining stakes but would base any payment negotiations on the state's ownership of the southern African country's untapped mineral wealth.
He said on Monday that Kazakh the mining group ENRC and Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company, which is owned by Sinisteel of China, had also submitted their local ownership proposals.
"The companies are continuing to come in with their plans," Kasukuwere said.
The coalition government, formed by bitter foes President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is divided over the implementation of the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act, signed into law in 2008. But critics say this will harshly hurt the country's economic recovery prospects.
Tsvangirai has called the empowerment drive "looting and plunder by the greedy elite.
War veterans upset over compensation
Original story is from Public Eye News
A group of former Lesotho Liberation Army members are planning to express their anger to King Letsie III as they fight for compensation from the government.
The veterans have accused the Maseru government of neglecting them despite their huge role in helping end the illegal Basotho National Party rule. The LLA- a military sector of the the Basotho Congress Party- took up arms in 1970.
The former soldiers are now demanding the state compensates them for their contribution to the rise to power of the Congress parties, and have since formed an umbrella body called the Liberation Army Veterans Association (LAVETA)- which seeks to lobby for stakeholders support and government recognition.
On April 30th, the former soldiers met at Sefrika High School and agreed to take their case to the King, insisting since 1993- when they came back into the country from exile- they had been battling to get some form of compensation but to no success.
The veterans allege after the BCP government came into power in 1993, it had only managed to employ 115 of the LLA members, leaving 196 without jobs.
Though the former fighters could not decide when they would be visiting King Letsie III, the Deputy President of LAVETA, Mohloka Koki told Public Eye they intended to talk to the Prime Minister again before taking the matter to the king.
"The Prime Minister was the one who first said we should draft the policy document. We feel it is only fair that we make him aware that nothing is happening, before we take our grievances to the king. DPM Lehohla will be visited again for the last time to check how far he is with the matter."
Efforts to get a comment from government spokesperson, Mothejoa Metsing were not successful.
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