presentation to parliamentary portfolio committee on communications 12 november 2003
DESCRIPTION
Objectives Term overview Issues from June PPCTRANSCRIPT
Presentation to Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on
Communications12 November 2003
Chairman’s Introduction
Objectives
• Term overview
• Issues from June PPC
Issues Arising From The Parliamentary Committee: June
• Programmes on disabilities and sign language
• Detailed preparation for the launch of the station, clear timeframes
• Detailed funding model of public broadcasting
• Dedicated parliamentary channel
The SABC - 1999
• Role & obligations
• Lack of leadership
• Concerns about governance
• Insecurity
4 years ago - Organisation in crisis:
The SABC - 1999
• Poor stakeholder relations
• Lack of strategy
• Lack of organisational alignment
• Unacceptable public image
• Concerns about financial sustainability
• Collapsed Management System
Focus Areas of the Board
• Board focus
– Management– Staff– Content– Financial
• Diversity and unity of the current Board
• Diverse constituency and stakeholder base
Important Milestones:
• Appointment of executive team
• Increased representation of women and blacks
• Improved content offerings
• Amendment of Broadcasting Act
• The development of draft editorial policies
• SABC converted to limited company
• Strong governance procedures
The SABC Four Years On (1 of 2)
The SABC Four Years On (2 of 2)
• Redesigned performance management system
• Development of a financial model
• Development of a technology strategy
• Improved relationships with key stakeholders
• Improved relationship with sister and industry organisations
• Expansion of access by more than 5m people
• SABC in Top 10 of “Most loved Brands”
Remaining Board Agenda – September to December
• Vision documents
• Policy framework concluded
• New channels
• BOP
• Goals and plans
Near Term Challenges
• Finalise Editorial Policies
• Renew licences
• Apply for Regional Service licences
• Apply for amended licences
• Prepare for Elections
• Prepare for Convergence Act
Challenges Remain
• Funding
• Stabilisation
• Improving content
• Expanding access
• Implementing Amendment Act
• Proposed convergence legislation
• Increased competition
• People development and retention
• Elections
I will now hand over to the Chair of the Programming :News Subcommittee
Programming: News
News Programming Chairperson Achievements and 5 Year Review
• Expanded Radio News services
• Expanded current Affairs programming on TV
• News Bulletins in every official language on TV
• Dismantling of Bimedia
News Programming Chairperson Achievements and 5 Year Review
• Elections
• Breaking news stories of domestic and international importance
• World class commissioning standards
• Launching of SABC Africa
• Numerous International awards for coverage
• World first San journalists on XKFM
• NEPAD Agenda
News Programming Chairperson Challenges going forward
• More accessible news on TV
– Language
– scheduling
• Improving the skills base in the news room
• Improving the product
– Economic
– Foreign Affairs
• Opening new bureaus
News Programming ChairpersonImmediate Term Challenges
• SABC News planning and implementation for Elections 2004
• Programming initiatives for 10 years of democracy
I will now hand over to the Chair of the Programming :Radio & TV Subcommittee
Programming: Radio & TV
Programming Chairperson: TV & Radio Achievements and 5 Year Review
• Invested significantly in local content
• Drafted editorial policies
• Repositioned PBS Radio
• Increased non-English content on TV (Nguni, Sotho and Afrikaans)
• Increased local content
Programming Chairperson: TV & Radio Achievements and 5 Year Review
• Sports of national interest coverage
• Popular and award winning educational content
• Incorporation of sign language into programming
• Multi-faith religious programming guided by Religious Broadcast Panel
• Draft religious broadcasting policy
The SABC remains committed to meeting the needs of the disabled audiences
• Progressively expanding the amount of programming that is signed – focusing initially on news and events of national importance
• Special efforts are made to provide Sign Language interpretation when programmes are recorded in front of an audience
• The draft editorial policies took the following approach to dealing with disability:
– Addressing the information needs of disabled audiences– Giving disabled audiences greater access to SABC programming– Addressing the stereotypes of people with disabilities
Programming Chairperson: TV & RadioAccess to the disabled
• Editorial policies to be amended – additional clauses on disability
• Annual reports on research on use of technologies to further mandate including access to broadcasts by people with disabilities
• Research study on key issues in education and disability:
– Overview of emerging trends and current priorities
– Input from a communities of people with disabilities on the role of multi-media programmes in regard to education and training.
– Analysis of current programming & recommendations on strategies
– Responses to current programming including level of awareness, reception, utilisation, impact
– Development of production guidelines
– Advice on available technology to improve delivery
Future steps on disability issues
Programming Chairperson: TV & Radio Challenges going forward
• Increasing competition for audiences
• Costs of production
• Regional services
I will now hand over to the Chair of the HR Subcommittee
HR
HR Chairperson Overview Achievements and 5 Year Review
• Advances in employment equity
• Steady increase in number of disabled employees
• Workplace HIV prevalence study – strategy / programme in place
• Increased focus on performance and change management
I will now hand over to the Chair of the Finance Subcommittee
FINANCE
Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson Achievements and 5 Year Review
• Transformation of Financial Division
• Financial stabilisation
• Risk management policies and mechanisms
• New structures and processes to ensure efficient capital allocation
Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson Challenges going forward
• Funding SABC mandate
• Deflationary revenue environment
• Technology platform renewal
• Branding investment
• Corporatisation
• Improve financial performance
• Treasury / Forex management
Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson Near Term Challenges
• Continued implementation of financial realignment
• Financial strategy for the Corporation
• Implement new delegation document
• Implementation of EVA
I will now hand over to the Chairperson of the Board
New Board Agenda
• Programming on disability
• News content strategy
• Head of News
• Election coverage
• Regional channels
• Sustainable funding model
• Top management cover
• Social roles and responsibilities
Conclusion
• Board has had successes
• Laid a significant and steady foundation for the new board
Going Forward
– Stability required
– Broadcasting Amendment Act will continue to impact on SABC fundamentally
– Funding Mandate remains a challenge
– SABC poised to move forward and improve
– Thank you for your support