43 radio stations facing closure in South Africa

As we at Bush Radio fight to keep the station going financially through our crowdfunding campaign and engagements with government, we are concerned to learn of developments to close up to 43 community radio stations in South Africa.

The National Community Radio Forum (NCRF), of which Bush Radio is a founding member, today issued a press statement highlighting the plans of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to shut down certain stations for various reasons.

Today we commemorate Black Wednesday 42 years ago – October 19, 1977 – when the apartheid government banned several newspapers, organisations and journalists.

Today, ICASA, an institution for which Bush Radio fought hard to be established, wants to shut down more than 40 community radio stations. The effect will be the same as then – limiting media freedom and alternative voices in the broadcast sector.

Bush Radio strongly urges our democratically elected government to intervene in this matter. We ask ICASA to look at a positive resolution to help secure the future of the community radio sector.

READ: Press Release: Shutdown of 43 Community Radio stations by ICASA

See below for the names of the stations affected.

1. Lekwa FM
2. Lukhanji FM
3. Mohokare FM
4. MP East Community Radio
5. Nkungumathe FM
6. Ncuthu Community Radio
7. Zibonele FM
8. Greater Middleburg FM
9. Merafong FM
10. KZN Capital FM
11. Catitura Community Radio
12. Mozolo FM
13. Lephalale FM
14. Greater Zaneen FM
15. Phalaborwa FM
16. The Rock FM
17. Devine Touch FM
18. Emmanuel Haven
19. East Griekwaland FM
20. Franshoek Community Radio
21. Giyani Youth FM
22. Hlanganani FM
23. Kanyamaza FM
24. Kingfisher FM
25. Kopel Studio
26. Lebowakgomo FM
27. Lekho Community Radio
28. Lentswe FM
29. Lethabong Community Radio
30. Letlhabile FM
31. Radio Kaap se Punt
32. Radio Sekunda
33. Radio Unique
34. Radio Renosterberg
35. Siyathuthuka FM
36. Sunshine Community Radio
37. Swartland FM
38. Ubuhle Beshowe FM
39. UCT Community Radio
40. Vaal Community Radio
41. Endermark Community Radio
42. Bophirima FM
43. Naledi Community Radio

Link to our crowdfunding campaign

We welcome reduced signal distribution costs by Sentech

Sentech has announced reduced signal distribution costs for community broadcasters. The change came into effect on the 1^st of April 2012.

On the 16^th of April 2012 the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, ICASA announced that Sentech’s average decrease in signal distribution costs for community radio is 65%, and 33% for community TV services.

Bush Radio has welcomed the reduced signal distribution cost by Sentech, as the station have been fighting for the distribution cost to be reduced.

Bush Radio Managing Director Brenda Leonard said that it is great news that the tarrifs have been reduced.

She also said that they raised the matter with Portfolio Committee on Communications back in January this year, during their visit to the station.

She believes that a long-term reduced tariff would contribute to the development of community broadcasting and its sustainability.

Media Development and Diversity Agency has also welcomed the move by Sentech, and believe that it is the great effort towards the creation of an enabling environment for media diversity.

MDDA‘s CEO Lumko Mtimde said that this is the move in the right direction, and that they hope that a more differentiated structure will be regulated.

Article originally published by Bushradionews

African TV Journalists on the Move

Bush Radio in partnership with the Deutsche Welle Akademie is currently (18 – 28 July 2011) holding a training workshop at the Bush Radio training facilities to a selected group of talented television journalists, camera operators and technicians from several television stations in Africa. The workshop aims to enable African journalists to “tell their stories” by producing professional TV reports and documentaries, and consequently offering their audiences an African perspective on relevant issues such as environmental protection, economic development, poverty reduction, health, education and good governance.

There are a diverse number of objectives that the workshop aims to achieve, including the improvement of the individuals skills as well as the promotion of African perspectives on social, economic and developmental issues. Trainers, Thomas Rehermann, Robert Donauer, Florian Kroker and Jan Bruck are doing their very best to ensure that the best training is being provided to the participants.

In the first stage the participants are divided up into teams consisting of a journalist, one camera operator and one picture editor. These teams are then given tasks and at the end of the workshop they are requested to produce at least one broadcast-quality report.

The workshop also aims to enhance reporting abilities, including, story selection, research, production organisation, camera work, the basic principles of editing, storytelling and writing for television.

Stages two and three are even more exciting than stage one. In stage two the team who produces the best report in stage one is identified, and then invited to develop these reports in co-operation with editors and technicians from Deutsche Welle-TV. Deutsche Welle will then distribute the reports through various channels to an international audience.

Stage three then allows the top 20 participants the opportunity to visit Germany. During this period, they will exchange views with decision-makers and opinion leaders, in order for authentic African perspectives on international issues to be discussed. This visit will also give participants the chance to learn more about German and European opinions about current issues.

The excitement of the participants is apparent at Bush Radio. Siraaj Larney from Cape Town TV said, “I have truly enjoyed the training thus far. It has broadened my knowledge and it has helped me build my confidence.”

Another participant, Anna Nicodemus from Namibia said, “I have been a journalist for quite some time, and I thought I knew all the tricks to journalism, up until this training. I will definitely be taking back a great wealth of knowledge with me. I hope that I will make it to Germany.”

Pennipher Sikainda from Muvi TV in Zambia said that the course has been excellent thus far, especially because it has been focusing on the training of TV production. She also said that the theme of the course “Africa On The Move” is wonderful since they have seen few stories depicting growth both socially and economically. She said that the lectures are fantastic, because they are sharing great tips that she could use to meet international broadcasting standards.

Richard Khoviwa from Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, said, “I have learnt many things with regard to editing and production. This is indeed useful to me because I deal with technical issues on a regular basis at my company.”

Related posts:

Local journalists get world-class TV training

Lights, Camera, Action

Covering all your media training needs

Keeping your voice heard (Sentech & Community Radio)

From Bush Radio Managing Director, Brenda Leonard to all listeners and supporters.

You have probably heard the disturbing news that over 60 community radio and some community television stations across South Africa will have their broadcasting services terminated by Sentech due to the arrears owed by these stations. 

I wish to assure our listeners, friends and supporters that, fortunately, Bush Radio will not be one of these stations. We have managed, through loans and the support of the Department of Communications, to pay our fees to Sentech.

However, we still need to continue with these high monthly payments, and we ask you or your organisations, if you can, in whichever way, to support the station.

This crisis faced by community media raises the issue of the impact of the current economic crisis on media, especially community media.

All businesses have been hard-hit, their advertising campaigns have been cut to the bone, leaving community media out of the loop with potential advertisers. The same is true of funders, who have either cut their budgets or changed their funding priorities. 

Community media needs the assistance of government, civil society, the NGO community and business to ensure its survival as a vital service for the upliftment or the various communities they serve.

In the meantime, we ask our listeners, friends and supporters if you have any fundraising ideas, place a comment with your details below, or email ideas@bushradio.co.za . If you would like to make a donation, please see our bank details here.

We thank you for your contribution.

Yours sincerely

Brenda Leonard