African News Dimension (AND), a start-up media company, is launching a news service for the continent on 1 September 2005. Ralston Smith, CEO of AND, says the network will focus on providing video content, as well as audio, photographs and copy for sale through its website (www.andnetwork.com). <p>
Cellular subscription services are fast becoming a headache for South African cellphone users. Advertisement promoting such services are misleading, with at least one advert recently withdrawn by the Advertising Standards Authority, and once subscribed, it can be difficult for users to find out how to unsubscribe.
Jozi FM, a community radio station that broadcasts to the southern parts of Johannesburg including Soweto, Ennerdale and Katlehong, is undergoing a major reshuffling of its senior management. The restructuring comes amidst a wide yet unverified radio industry rumour that funds from the station were not reaching the community on whose behalf Jozi FM is being run.
Paris Mashile, a former Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) councillor, has been named the new chairperson of the authority, replacing Mandla Langa, whose tenure as chairman expired on 30 June. Mashile’s appointment was made yesterday by President Thabo Mbeki for the term of office from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2010.
Local and long distance fixed-line phone call charges for 2003 are expected to increase by 12,5% in line with inflation, Telkom said on Tuesday.
The Global Fund for Aids bypassed the national government when donating R600-million to KwaZulu-Natal, said SA Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
The Independent Communications Authority of SA on Tuesday heard an application by the owners of Port Elizabeth-based Radio Algoa to close down their East London radio station despite protests from listeners.