The media have seen it all throughout this year - from media freedom threat to closure of certain editorially rich but financially unsustainable newspapers and magazines, a dip in circulation and advertising revenues, retrenchments, hunger strike and protests over SABC's inability to pay independent production houses, rage of editorial machines, and the Presidency's alleged breach of trust, among others.
William Bird, head of Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), told Bizcommunity.com on Sunday, 13 December that there were some concerns this year despite the ‘good protection' of media freedom.
“As it was an election year most political parties went out of their way to note media freedom,” he said.
Bird duly deplored - expectedly so - the enactment of the Film and Publications Act (FPA), which he said, will ‘soon' be challenged before the Constitutional Court.
The Film and Publication Board (FPB) insists that the Films and Publications Act is not meant to introduce censorship and curtail media liberties, but critics are not convinced and it looks like a fierce battle will take place next year before the highest court in the land.
Bird said the Constitutional Court also came out with its ruling on the Divorce Act, which in seeking to promote the rights to dignity and privacy of children, went even further by preventing the media from naming and identifying anyone involved in divorce cases.
“On the positive side, however, the independent group of media formally adopted principles on reporting on children. This should go some way in raising awareness of issues around children and the news,” he said.
“The Public Service Broadcasting Bill and the SABC must, however, be noted for the potential protection as well as possible undermining of media freedom with the clear path being set to be determined in 2010.
Bird also slammed the world's soccer governing body, FIFA, for forcing media and journalists to sign ‘certain clauses' before being accredited. He called the practice ‘archaic and offensive', and said it is meant to significantly stifle media freedom.
Asked whether the MMA has noticed some signs of transformation in media (newsrooms and ownership, among others), or if it has occurred at all this year, Bird replied: “Transformation is occurring to a certain degree but whether it is sufficient may depend on who is assessing it.
“Clearly though it remains a fundamental issue, which some media take seriously, while others don't. Are we in the right path? Yes. Is the change fast enough? It depends on which criteria, but many would say no.
“What is clear is that the issue will likely be high on political agendas in 2010 and what will be useful would be an open and honest discussion about the issues.”
It has been a frightening year for the media, which took a beating from the impact of the recessionary storm, which some believe, is now over. But Bird cautiously welcomed the news, saying: “I don't think the storm is over.
“I suspect it will take some time for advertising to pick up again. This is not only about the technical end of the recession but confidence levels and companies starting to spend again.”
It is almost like committing a sin these days if one were to forget to mention the rage of machines, which is having a serious impact on traditional media, forcing some media to invigorate their digital editions.
Bid said: “Digital impact will continue to grow and with the installation of the new undersea cable, we may all hope to see some costs going down.
“I even suspect we may very sadly see some media go down in 2010. One of the saddest things for 2009 was the closure of the Weekender.”
So, it is back to the treatment room for many media organisations - independent and state-controlled - where they will nurse their wounds, rectify their mistakes and sharpen their spears to prepare for 2010 - a year of hope and the FIFA World Cup.
