Today, the 14^th December 2010 marks a meeting of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and the Print Media South Africa (PMSA).(PMSA- includes, Media 24 LTD, CTP Limited, Independent Newspapers LTD and Avusa  LTD).

The meeting being one of the normal interactions between the partners discussed a number of issues of common interest ranging from an update on MDDA achievements and challenges, media transformation, media diversity, editorial independence, skills & enterprise development, common understanding of challenges faced by print media in the current technology era (for established and start up print enterprises), differences of business models between print & broadcasting media, etc.

The PMSA complemented the MDDA for its achievements. PMSA acknowledged that the MDDA is well run, professional and is a quality organization, driving its vision & mission according to its establishing act.

PMSA raised concerns regarding the MDDA's research report on trends of ownership & control done by Z-coms, July 2009. Significant progress had been made by the print industry on transformation including on ownership. The meeting acknowledged that a lot of changes had taken place since the report was published. PMSA tabled that it had adopted the BEE scorecard as a measurement for transformation for the industry.

The meeting noted that the July 2009 research was a beginning and agreed to partner in conducting a new research looking at all the elements of the BEE scorecard including ownership and control. The aim is to prepare a print industry research prior to the planned Parliamentary public hearings on media transformation and diversity. Further, the parties agreed to partner in respect of future industry research, skills development, maximizing value for training, academy collaborations and any other related work. The parties agreed on partnership, common understanding of the developments in the industry, regular meaningful dialogues aimed at finding optimal solutions and on working together.

The Agency thanked the Government (whose valuable support for the Agency through GCIS and the Presidency has made its work manageable) and the funding partners both broadcast and print media. The parties committed to continue join hands in assisting the building of an environment where a diverse, vibrant and creative media flourishes and reflects the needs of all South Africans. 

Issued by:

Phumelele Nzimande, Acting MDDA Chair, and

Prakash C Desai, PMSA President

 

As you know, the 21st World Newspaper Advertising Conference will be held in Malta, from 24 to 25 of February 2011. 

I would ask you to join us in helping to promote the event programme to your member newspapers.  We would therefore be grateful if your association could publish the attached banners on its website: we can translate them into any language you wish. The ads should be please linked to http://www.wan-ifra.org/advertising2011. 
Should you be willing to publish these advertisements in print, you will find attached the suitable version. 

Your members will benefit from the 200 EUR discount that we offer to association members, something we encourage you to remind your them of. 

This kind of help from WAN-IFRA member associations has proven very effective, in its contribution to the success of our recent events: we trust that you will confirm your support in this occasion. 

For further details about the 21st World Newspaper Advertising Conference please contact the programme manager of the event:

Ioana
Phone: +49.6151.733-769 
Email: ioana.straeter@wan-ifra.org

The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) has adopted substantial changes to its Code of Advertising Practice. The Code, which forms the guiding document of the industry, is revised annually to keep pace with the dynamics of the South African society and to meet the changing needs of the marketing and communications industry. Among the significant changes to the Code are updates to its individual codes, which are determined by various member organisation or negotiated with governmental institutions.  The provisions of the Code are mostly broadly framed, but special rules covered by the Appendices, apply to particular audiences and to certain categories of products and services.

• Appendix A sees the introduction of a new Code of Practice for the Marketing of Health Products, which has now replaced Appendix H (previously Advertising for over-the counter medicines).
• The Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA) has inserted a new Code of Commercial Communication in Appendix B.
• Appendix C that covers Advertising of cosmetics, has been updated relating to cosmetic cellulite products and preparations containing sunscreens.
• The Direct Marketing Association of South Africa revised its Appendix D, resulting in the deletion of some provisions and the re-numbering of remaining provisions.
• A new guideline, Guideline 10 has been included in the Code. This covers a new ARA Underage Line Policy, covering TV, radio, print and outdoor advertising.

Fred Makgato, Head Legal and Regulatory Affairs of the ASA pointed out that these Guidelines are not part of the ASA Code but relate to laws, rulings and procedures that can affect the preparation of advertising copy and that users are advised to study the full implications of the particular law before proceeding with advertising, as it must not be taken for granted that the laws listed have not been amended.

The role of the ASA is to act as a facilitator between those representing the public interest and those representing the industry when standards are set. The ASA also keeps abreast of international standards and will inform the Code Revision Committee of trends and changes.

For more information on the guidelines kindly contact the ASA on the details provided below.

Corné Koch

The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA)

Tel (011) 781 2006

Fax (011) 781 1616

corne@asasa.org.za

The Newspaper Association invites applications from Black Female Practitioners who are performing exceptionally well and who wish to be accredited with a marketing qualification during the 2011 academic year.

The Newspapers Association offers a bursary fund to Black Female Practitioners for a one year course, subject to attached conditions and criteria.  The NASA Bursary Fund seeks to ensure continuing training and career development opportunities for professionals in the print media industry.

Eligibility Criteria
All applicants shall have Matric or have an equivalent (NQF level 4.) level of education.
The Applicant should have the following:
          
[Be creative + Be Sales driven + Have marketing initiative ]

The selection process includes filling in an application form and writing a letter of motivation of not less than five hundred (500) words, which specify:
- Reasons for choosing this field of study.
- Candidates’ aspirations
- How the candidates qualification will benefit the Company / Media House.

The application form and a letter of motivation should be accompanied by:-

 - A detailed  curriculum vitae.
 - A reference letter from the manager/editor.
 - A certified copy of the applicant’s identity documents.
 - The educational institution of choice with the identified course. (also enclose all
    supporting documents. eg. Course outline, duration and prescribed study materials.

Agreement
Successful candidates shall be expected to enter into a bursary agreement during studies and the beneficiaries and respective employer shall commit to continued employment to utilise the skills gained.

Submissions must be addressed to Print Media SA and reach the Print Media SA by no later than November 19, 2010 November 26, 2010.

See last year winner.

Download the application form.

You can email, post or deliver to the office: Click here for contact details

Print Media South Africa (PMSA) in a joint initiative with the Poynter Institute, proudly hosted a successful industry training seminar for the country's senior editors and media executives. 

The 4 day training began on the 18^th of October and was held at Emoyeni Conference Centre.  The training was geared toward equipping South African editors with the necessary resources in dealing with contemporary challenges within the newsroom.  Focus areas included leadership styles; how to manage change; and the transformation of digital content into a business model.

Jonathan Beukes, supplements editor of the Nambian, said, "It was a very enriching course.  I didn't expect so much.  I didn't expect the calibre of the people that attended the course."  The class register included names such Thulani Mbhatha (editor of Isolezwe), Gasant Abader (executive editor at the Cape Argus), Mmanaledi Mataboge (assistant news editor for the Mail and Guardian), Wally Mbhele (editor at Avusa) and Irma Green, Group Editor of Lowveld Media (Caxton Newspapers). 

Ainsley Moos (Editor - Volksblad) mentioned how useful the entire training was as, "the media industry is at a serious crossroads. We have to rethink how we have been doing things.  Going forward from here onwards, certainly some things have to change."  He went on to say, "I hope Stephen (Buckley) can come back to South Africa to do some more training."

Stephen Buckley was the facilitator for the training seminar.  Buckley is the Dean of faculty at Poynter with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the Duke University.

Buckley's background:

Stephen worked as an intern in the Detroit bureau of The Wall Street Journal in 1987 and as an editorial writer for the Philadelphia Daily News in 1988. He began his professional career as a night police reporter for The Washington Post.  He then covered a variety of beats in suburban Maryland for the next four years.

In January 1995, he became Africa bureau chief, based in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Post. During that assignment, he wrote a range of stories about a range of people -- from nomads in Mali to refugees in Rwanda. In June 1998, Stephen spent six months as a teaching fellow at the Poynter Institute. Then he took six months to learn Portuguese, after which he became the Post's Brazil bureau chief, based in Rio de Janeiro. He covered Brazil until May 2001.

"Democracy and journalism in South Africa will be just fine with you as its leaders.  Poynter is with you in your struggles and however we can help, we would like to help", said Buckley when addressing the audience at the Poynter Alumni Cocktail Function.  He added that the 20 year relationship between the South African media industry and Poynter is a crucial one that should continue for years to come for the development of journalism.  He thanked PMSA for its role in the organising for the event and added, "This has been a life-changing experience for me and thank you. "

Irma Green (Group Editor of Lowveld Media) took part in the training. When asked about the experience and Stephen Buckley's input, she offered, "I think Stephen was a great facilitator.  We had a lot of senior editors from different media groups who worked together as though they were part of one team.  I think that comes from great facilitating. "This has been one of the most valuable experiences as an editor that I have had in the twenty years that I have been in journalism", said Green.

We, at Print Media SA, would like extend our thanks to the Poynter Institute and Stephen Buckley, Paddi Clay the Chairperson of the PMSA People Development Committee and the editors who participated in the training. We hope that it was a valuable experience that they will take with them in the critical roles they play in the newspaper and magazine industry daily.  

 

The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) is seeking to appoint an Executive Director at its offices in Parktown, Johannesburg.

The AIP is southern Africa's largest industry association for small grassroots, township, and rural publications across South Africa, including both small commercial, non-profit and advocacy media.

As an industry body, affiliated to the nation's umbrella Print Media South Africa (PMSA) association, AIP focuses on issues relating to the sustainability of publishers, access to markets and resources, and other aspects of the ‘business of news'. AIP members are media owners or publishers. It is not an editorial or journalist organisation.

The successful candidate will be an experienced professional, with extensive knowledge of the South African media industry. She/He must possess appropriate leadership qualities, executive management expertise, and a track-record for successful fundraising and project execution. Candidates who can demonstrate experience at high-level advocacy and policy interventions will be at an advantage.

Click here for more the requirements.

Communities in the northern suburbs of Pretoria can look forward to a brand new community newspaper, Northern Times.

This follows the success of Eastern Times, a community newspaper that was launched in February 2009 in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria.

Under the co-ownership of Betsie van der Merwe, Owner/Editor of Eastern Times and previously Group Editor of Citi Newsroom, and Adrian Henwood (Co-owner of Eastern Times) this newspaper promises to fulfil the need for an independent community newspaper north of the Magaliesberg.

Van der Merwe and Henwood also distributed shares in Northern Times to marketing manager, Karen Hewitt, and administrator, Liezl le Roux.

"The newspaper will be run by the same dedicated and experienced team who developed Eastern Times into a reputable and highly regarded community newspaper.  Living in the northern suburbs themselves, the journalists and advertising consultants for Northern Times are familiar with the needs of these suburbs," says van der Merwe.

"Northern Times pledges to look out for our advertisers and provide a platform to introduce and advertise their products and services to their target markets as well as provide community news that is relevant, insightful and newsworthy."

The first bilingual full colour tabloid size Northern Times will appear on 28 October 2010. Twenty five thousand copies will be distributed to the northern suburbs of Pretoria (the Zambezi area as well as Pretoria North) by residential delivery.

News and general:
Betsie van der Merwe
Tel: 087 809 0196 / 074 158 0759
email: betsie@easternnews.co.za
email: betsievandermerwe@gmail.com
Fax: 086 669 6265