Craig Bishop
A two-year-old agreement with Danish funders to fund community radio projects jointly has finally been honoured by the South African government.
Dr Pallo Jordan, the former minister responsible for broadcasting, agreed in 1995 to match a two-year Danish contribution of over R3-million to develop community radio through an independent fund.
The agreement stressed the money would be transferred to the Kgaso Fund, a project of the Independent Media Diversity Trust (IMDT). Two years later, the communications department has decided to provide equipment directly to 18 new community stations, sparking fears that such direct government grants could compromise the fledgling sector.
Last August Danida (the Danish funder) halted payments when the government failed to honour its matching pledge. The government has committed R9,6-million to the project, of which R3-million must be spent by the end of this month. A tender for radio equipment is expected to be awarded by the end of March while the Danes are studying the government’s proposals to decide whether to reinstate their grant.
Clive Emdon, the IMDT’s director, says “Yes, it has taken a long time, but what is important is that the government has come to the table.” He adds that the Kgaso Fund and the government will together “develop criteria for equipment grants and to select recipients”. The agreement also stipulates that training and technical back-up will be provided.
The Open Society Foundation is a major funder of community radio and says it welcomes government support for the sector, but it warns funding should be managed by an independent body. “The government should channel funding through an independent trust to ensure that community radio is insulated from political pressure,” says the foundation’s Jean Fairbairn.
The government’s Green Paper on broadcasting recognises the importance of a media development agency which will be set up to fund and support independent media.
Joe Mjwara, deputy director-general in the department of communications, says Treasury rules dictate that the government must fund projects directly.
He says, “There is no desire and no scope for any interference by government. Kgaso is not being bypassed. It will be involved in critical decisions, such as where the equipment goes.”