GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS TASK GROUP CONSTITUTED

Issued by: Office of the Executive Deputy President

PRESS STATEMENT GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS TASK GROUP CONSTITUTED

The Executive Deputy President Mr Thabo Mbeki has constituted the Task Group to investigate the governments communications policy and make recommendations to his office.

The Task Group was appointed on the recommendation of the recent Government Conference on Communications held at Arniston.

The following people will constitute the Task Group:

• Dr. Stephen Mncube. (Divisional Manager of the Development Information Service of the Centre for Policy and Information.)
• Mr. Mandla Langa (Director: Interface Consultancy-Productions.)
• Mr. Mathata Tsedu (Political Editor: Sowetan.)
• Mr. Tshepo Rantho (President of the National Community Media Forum)
• Mr. David Dison (Attorney)
• Sebiletso Mokone Matabane (Co-chairperson: I.B.A)
• Mr. Raymond Louw. (Chairperson: Freedom of Expression Institute.)
• Prof. Willem de Klerk. (Subject to confirmation) (Private: Communicator Political Consultant.)
• Val Pauquet (National Communications Co-ordinator: National Peace Accord Trust.)
• Steve Godfrey. (Commonwealth.)

The broad terms of reference of the Task Group will include a review of:

• Existing Government Communications policy at national, provincial and local level;
• Existing government communications structures and facilities at national, provincial and local level;
• Relationships between government communication functions at national, provincial and local level;
• Existing government budgets with special reference to personnel, operations and equipment;
• Relationships between government communications structures and non governmental information providers;
• Government communication, training and capacity building with special emphasis on affirmative action;
• Ownership and control of South African media and how this affects government communication;
• Define existing information delivery mechanisms;
• Examining international communication functions with special emphasis on information dissemination and
• Researching government communications policies, functions and structures in other democracies especially developing countries.

The Task Group is expected to begin its work in January 1996 and on completion of its investigations, to make recommendations to the Executive Deputy President on their findings.

Issued by: Thami Ntenteni Director: Communications

Date: 19 December 1995

Tel: 083 555 5118