DATE: FRIDAY, 08 JANUARY 2010
ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS AND REPORTERS
WHAT THE SABC CAN LEARN FROM NEW ZEALAND
The Faculty of Humanities, Wits University, in association with the Media Monitoring Africa and the Save Our SABC Coalition invite you to a public lecture and discussion by Dr Ruth Zanker, Head of Research and senior lecturer at the New Zealand Broadcasting School. Dr Zanker will discuss a topical issue on How do independence, corporate governance, programming, public accountability and funding play a significant role in the survival of public service broadcasting? Reflecting on the New Zealand experience.
Dr Zanker is a pioneering media educator who continues to be approached by the media to comment on the challenges that continue to face public broadcasting space in New Zealand. She has undertaken consultancies for the Broadcasting Standards Authority, New Zealand On Air (the funding agency) and the self-regulating Advertising Standards Authority. Her lecture comes at an interesting point in South Africa, says Prof. Tawana Kupe, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.
“The recent crisis at the SABC and the proposed new Broadcasting Bill has highlighted threats to the independence and the viability of SABC funding going forward. New Zealand has faced similar challenges around the funding of public service broadcasting and its viability and has tried different models. The New Zealand experience would be relevant for the South African context,” explains Prof. Kupe.
On this evening, the Save Our SABC Coalition will release the draft response to the Department of Communications draft Bill on Public Broadcasting. The media and the public are invited to attend.
Date: Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
Venue: Graduate Studies Seminar Room, South West Engineering Building, East Campus. Free parking available in Senate House Basement off Jorissen Street.
For media interviews please contact: Prof. Tawana Kupe on 078 459 6041; William Bird, Media Monitoring Africa on 082 887 1370 or Kate Skinner, Save Our SABC Coalition on 082 926 6404.
ENDS
Buhle Zuma
Communications Officer
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Tel: 011 717 1018
Fax: 086 5533 092
E-mail: buhle.zuma@wits.ac.za
