Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
PRESS RELEASE CONCERNING THE CONFERENCE ON LOCAL CONTENT TO BE HELD IN DURBAN ON 20 AND 21 NOVEMBER 1997
"South Africa, a rainbow nation, with diverse cultures and languages has not sufficiently seen itself reflected on the television screens and head its stories, folklore, mythologies and music on the radio." IBA tripe inquiry Report, August, 1995
"Local Content airplay quotas are undemocratic and a violation of freedom of choice." David Blood & Associates submission to the IBA in respect of Local Content.
On 20 and 21 November the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) will be hosting a Conference on Local Content at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban. This Conference will focus on the debates surrounding local content production for television and radio broadcasting in South Africa.
Television and radio are two of the most significant and largest modern carriers of culture. They are also two of the most important institutions in the development of the local music and film industries. It is not surprise, then that DACST is concerned with the growth of a strong and vibrant local broadcasting environment that serves as a catalyst in the production of high quality South African film, television and music production.
The Conference on Local Content aims to bring together decision makers and role players in the broadcasting, music, film and advertising industries who are concerned about developing a strong local broadcast industry.
The Conference will examine various questions which are pertinent to the development of local production: How can South African television and radio begin to tell South African stories? What is their role in developing a South African identity? Are local content quotas necessarily the right way to go or should programming decisions be left to the market? Is there enough high quality local music produced in South Africa or will radio stations struggle to fill a local content quota? How can our national broadcasters contribute to the growth of the local television production, film and music industries? What is the role of the IBA in regulating the production of local programming on television and radio?
What can we learn from the successes and failures of other countries where local television and radio content has been regulated? What are the specific roles and responsibilities of the SABC, as the country's public broadcaster, in the development of local programming? How can the potential of the community radio stations be maximised?
The Conference will also examine where the advertising industry fits into the local content debate. Are advertisers willing to back local programmes or do they prefer the tried and tested Ameica sitcoms nd soap-operas? Would South African advertisers benefit from increased local programming?
The Conference will be structured in a way which ensures practical outcomes. There will be separate sessions for those involved with the radio and television industries, and formal recommendations will be tabled.
For further information on this Conference please contact Ms Mariaan van Kaam at: (011) 954-1067/8. Members of the media are also invited to cover the conference proceedings and all sessions will be open to the media.
All working media who wish to attend the conference should please contact the Communications Directorate f th Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology at Tel: (012) 314-6497/6122 or by fax at (012) 323-0165.