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France: First African film entries in mobile film festival

A wave of mobile film festivals have been happening globally that reflect the rise of use of the mobile phone for making short films. At the beginning of June there was a three day festival of so-called “Pocket Films” with over 200 films of every genre from 30 countries represented. It was an interesting straw in the wind that several African countries entered films. For it is probably true now that more Africans have access to a mobile than have access to a cinema screen.

In issue 7

Content

Africa: MTV launches first youth-focused, global, multi-platform climate change campaign – MTV Switch

Nigeria: HiTV Signs On Sky, Eurosports News

Ghana: The COPA AMERICA 2007 gets set to roll on DStv!

Zimbabwe: ZBC in Hola Africa Initiative

South Africa: SABC Withdraws Controversial Documentary for Second Time

Zimbabwe/Uganda: Two More News Channels On DStv

Broadcast

Namibia: Are NBC And SABC Bedfellows?

Kenya: GTV Launches in Nairobi Promising Value, Quality

Namibia: NBC Sinking in Red Ink

Botswana: New Radio Stations Herald Exciting Times

Kenya: Introduce Sign Language, TV Stations Urged

Senegal: Radio Station Mired in Technicalities

Sierra Leone: Friends of the Earth to Open Radio Station Soon

Distribution

South Africa: SABC Millions to Clinch Deal on British Soccer Matches

South Africa: Italian Serie A TV rights assigned

Investment

Moroccan cinema: subsidy to rise to USD 12Mn by 2010, Minister

Nigeria: Iredia Seeks Funds for Potiskum, Gashua TV Stations

South Africa: Johncom Expects Jump in Earnings

More

Regulation & policy

Technology & convergence

Events

People

Opportunities

Top story

France: First African film entries in mobile film festival

A wave of mobile film festivals have been happening globally that reflect the rise of use of the mobile phone for making short films. At the beginning of June there was a three day festival of so-called “Pocket Films” with over 200 films of every genre from 30 countries represented. It was an interesting straw in the wind that several African countries entered films. For it is probably true now that more Africans have access to a mobile than have access to a cinema screen.

Films submitted to the festival included everything from comedies, political statements, experimental work and community campaigning films, demonstrating that this new “pocket cinema” can be both spontaneous and inventive. “It is very important that there is world event dedicated to these kinds of films…we received around 1000 entries. The palette (for makers) is very open,” said Benoit Labourdette, the Co-ordinator of the Pocket Films event at the Centre Pompidou.

After cinema, television and the computer, the mobile phone represents the birth of the fourth screen. Work on it varies enormously but because mobile phones lend themselves to clandestine filming it has often been used by bloggers and experimental film-makers in very different ways to film shot for TV or the big screen. It has also become a space for social sharing with the controversial rise of things like “happy slapping” where friends take pictures of surprise attacks on other people. However, the Festival also had entries from a range of students attending film schools in France.

Africa, which is so often absent from film festivals, was represented by the films of Zaanga, a co-operative audio-visual agency which also encourages the spread of open source software on the Internet. It brought films from three francophone countries – Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo – and showed work about places that are usually largely invisible to more mainstream media.

Blogging was slow to migrate to Africa but there are now a considerable number of extremely accomplished African bloggers as the recent TED Festival in Arusha demonstrated. So it can only be a matter of time before Africa spawns its own breed of pocket film-makers. Watch out what’s happening on a mobile near you…

Content

Africa: MTV launches first youth-focused, global, multi-platform climate change campaign – MTV Switch

MTV last week announced the launch of MTV SWITCH, the first youth-focused, global, multi-platform campaign created to help slow down the acceleration of global warming. Through public service announcements (PSAs), television programming and online resources, the campaign aims to promote environmentally-friendly lifestyle choices among youth in order to reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

Starting Thursday, 14 June, 35 MTV SWITCH PSAs will air across Africa on MTV (DStv Channel 85) and MTV base (DStv Channel 88), simultaneously breaking across MTV’s global network of 55 localized TV channels in 162 countries as well as on the network’s 44 online and 16 mobile offerings, to reach a potential audience of 1.5 billion viewers. Using a unique style and tone that resonates with MTV’s audience of 12- to 34-year-olds, the initiative delivers simple tips to help viewers realise that small actions taken by many individuals can make massive differences to the world’s carbon emissions. Supplemental MTV programming—long and short-form as well as news—will incorporate energy conservation themes and are scheduled to air throughout the year. All facets of the campaign, including more than 10 celebrity-driven idents, will direct viewers to MTV SWITCH’s dedicated multi-lingual website, www.mtvswitch.org.

“We are facing a tipping point on climate change and we need to act now,” said Bill Roedy, Vice Chairman, MTV Networks. “The MTV SWITCH campaign seeks to empower our viewers to make simple behavioural changes to have a profound impact on conserving energy. The statistics are staggering. If less than 1% of our total potential viewing audience—roughly one million people—switches to three energy efficient light bulbs, this would be equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road. Small energy efficient steps taken by many can clearly make a big difference to climate change. MTV SWITCH will engage the young people who will be impacted most by climate change through personal and motivational messages on-air, online and on mobile.”

Everyone, no matter what age or where they live, can take action to reduce their carbon footprint. The MTV SWITCH PSAs seek to entertain, intrigue and inspire viewers to take on simple climate conscience acts such as unplugging mobile chargers and turning the thermostat down one degree. With this goal in mind, six advertising agencies (180 LA, Cake, Lowe Worldwide, Ogilvy, Wieden + Kennedy 12 and Y&R) created and produced PSAs for MTV SWITCH. All of the ads were created pro bono and, in an effort to reach the largest possible audience, are available rights-free and cost-free to all broadcasters and content distributors around the world for use on-air, online and on mobile. More than 25 broadcasters have already been confirmed to air the campaign, including Community Channel (UK), RTP (Portugal), ERT (Greece), UJRT (Serbia), LBC (Lebanon), Metro TV (Indonesia), ITV (Tanzania) and TV6 (Trinidad).

The PSAs the agencies produced include: Brad and Earth, Ways to Protect the Planet (180 LA); Francois, Marie, Pet Penguin, Trees Breathing, Waterline (Lowe Worldwide); 3650, Busy Doing Nothing (Ogilvy); Candle Face, Exhaust, Game of Walk, Leader, Leo Helm, Please, Small Things and Turn Me Off (Wieden + Kennedy 12). Faces (Y+R) includes a broadcast component as well as a complementary print campaign for use in music, sports and fashion publications. In addition, Cake created Global Rap, which will be deployed virally, and MTVNI created four of its own PSAs. Five additional MTV SWITCH PSAs are expected to roll out throughout the year.

Roedy added, “All of us here at MTV are incredibly pleased with the world-class work of 180 LA, Cake, Lowe Worldwide, Ogilvy, Wieden + Kennedy 12 and Y&R. These six advertising agencies produced compelling spots that entertain, intrigue and, more importantly, motivate our viewers to make positive behavioral changes to protect the environment. They used a variety of techniques, even humour, that perfectly fit into the MTV environment. They dedicated their time and resources pro bono. And, they offered up their work rights-free and cost-free to anyone who’s interested in broadcasting them. Literally hundreds of people pulled together to create MTV SWITCH. Together, we will empower MTV’s audiences around the world to lower their carbon footprint.”

Building upon the messaging in the PSAs, MTV will also broadcast long and short-form programming as well as news packages that underscore the importance of creating an energy efficient environment. As part of this commitment, Xzibit, Mad Mike and the entire Pimp My Ride crew at G.A.S. (Galpin Auto Sports) will give a ’65 Chevy Impala an 800 horsepower diesel engine that will run on biodiesel, turning it into one extraordinary clean machine. Two short documentaries produced by Element will also air under the MTV SWITCH umbrella: Tine and Ifie (documents the devastating effects of a Nigerian oil spill) and Tia (chronicles the environmental repercussions of illegal lumbering in Papua New Guinea). Chil;dren’s channel Nickelodeon will also participate in the initiative by providing age appropriate information about what kids, aged 6-14, can do to help lower their family’s energy consumption.

All of MTV SWITCH’s television programming and PSAs direct viewers to the campaign’s website, www.mtvswitch.org. The site aims to provide viewers with the tools and knowledge needed to start lowering carbon emissions. In an effort to increase awareness of the site, more than 10 celebrities (Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Calvin Harris, Good Charlotte, Enrique Iglesias, JoJo, MIMS, Kelly Rowland, Shaggy, Tinchy Stryder, Rufus Wainwright and Xzibit) encourage viewers to visit mtvswitch.org through idents airing across MTV’s worldwide network, with more to come.

Nigeria: HiTV Signs On Sky, Eurosports News

New Nigerian pay television operator, HiTV, has underlined its commitment to bringing the best television entertainment to Nigerians with the introduction of additional news and sports channels to bring its total collection to 21. The new pay TV company has signed on leading European news station, Sky News and sports channel, Eurosports News, to increase the viewing choice for its expanding subscriber base.

In addition, the Toyin Subair-led outfit has also concluded plans to launch its own new sports channels ahead of the 2007/08 European football league season in August. The new channels, Hi Soccer and Hi Sports 2 are aimed at bringing premium sports entertainment close the viewers.

Sky News is a Europe focused information service provider based in the United Kingdom and owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Among its sister stations are global sports leader Sky sports, Sky TV and Sky movies. Eurosports News is an exclusive sports information provider. Its objective is to deliver first the important sports news stories to its audience.

Another Christian channel, Believers Loveworld, owned by the Christ Embassy Church, would be joining the HiTV bouquet this month. This is in addition to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) owned Dove Vision which already leads the pack with God TV out of a collection of 16 channels as more comes.

Following the introduction of these new channels are Hi Soccer and Hi Sports 2 which HiTV would be launching prior to the commencement of the new European football season in August. While Hi Soccer is completely dedicated to first rate football games especially from the Barclays English Premier League, EPL, and the Spanish League, La Liga, for which it has rights, Hi Sports 1 and 2 would offer wide variety games ranging from international and local athletics, the American NBA basketball, World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE to Wimbledon Tennis Grand slam and many more including extreme sports.

HiTV is in talks with Dele Momodu, publisher of celebrity magazine, Ovation, to produce the television version of the international journal. There are indications BEN TV of England presenter and producer Kayode Tijani would produce this entertainment feature on a dedicated channel known as Hi Ovation on the new platform.

This is in addition to other existing entertainment channels like Hi Nolly which is dedicated to beaming Nigerian home movie entertainment and Nigezie a 24 hour music channel with the best collection of Nigerian stars from around the world. Amuludun a Yoruba language station would complement Hi Nolly in movies, while international music station MTV Base would provide additional black music.

And E! Entertainment would provide the razzmatazz and gist on top Hollywood celebrities. Lovers of foreign movies are not left out in the HiTV consideration as the bouquet also runs a channel dedicated to American and foreign movies. HiTV is also inching into the local language broadcast market with the inclusion of a Yoruba channel known as Amuludun. Subair affirmed that it is the first of such stations as it would also launch Igbo and Hausa language broadcasts.

For children HiTV has created a customised kiddies channel with first class edutainment programmes for the family, while the adult and mature audience are effectively catered for on the Hi Life channel. HiTV owned by entertainment Highway Limited, EHL, jolted the Nigerian broadcast market when last year it won the right to the English premier league and the Spanish Liga for the whole of Africa. It is the first television platform in Africa to deploy the new terrestrial pay per view decoder system technology known as the MMDS Hypercable. It makes pay TV viewing cheaper. Subscribers to the new station would have to pay N3, 000 monthly subscriptions after the initial N25, 000 installation fees.

(source: Vanguard (Lagos), 20 June 2007)

Ghana: The COPA AMERICA 2007 gets set to roll on DStv!

In an announcement guaranteed to keep African football fans locked onto DStv screens this month, SuperSport has confirmed that it will definitely screen what is known as the oldest national teams tournament in the world the COPA AMERICA, with the 2007 version coming to DStv audiences direct and live from Venezuela!

Now SuperSport once more lives up to its long-established reputation for bringing audiences a consistent and comprehensive view of world football with coverage of the prestigious COPA AMERICA. DStv audiences can celebrate with football lovers across the Americas and the world as 12 highly motivated teams head out into the field and into massive global attention!

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, the United States and Uruguay are those heading into action as the tournament kicks off on Tuesday June 27.

(source: Accra Mail (Accra), 20 June 2007)

Zimbabwe: ZBC in Hola Africa Initiative

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services -- radio and television -- are together with 40 other broadcasters drawn from more than 30 countries participating in the Hola Africa Initiative to combat HIV and Aids. The initiative, that is being organised by the African Broadcast Media Partnership (ABMP) Against HIV/Aids, gives young Zimbabweans who are innovative, creative and trend-setters and who believe in contributing their ideas on how to create an Aids-free generation a chance to participate in the continental television reality show. South Africa will host the show, which will be broadcast throughout the continent in December. Young people aged between 18 and 25 years take part in the event.

Among the qualities expected in deciding on the finalists are leadership, responsibility, high self-esteem, critical thinking, optimism and demonstrated achievements. Those who have already succeeded in overcoming the odds stacked against them, whether these be in overcoming social and economic conditions, the trauma of abuse or the difficulties that may arise from HIV or Aids, have a particularly good chance of making it to the finalists.

The eventual winner of the reality show will visit other African countries to share his or her ideas on how to create an Aids-free generation. He or she will become a broadcasting celebrity in the fight against Aids.

(source: The Herald (Harare), 22 June 2007)

South Africa: SABC Withdraws Controversial Documentary for Second Time

Now you see it, now you don't, now you see it, now you don't: such is the farcical situation with the controversial documentary on President Thabo Mbeki, which the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) had scheduled for screening on Sunday.

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is disturbed that, once again, the documentary has been withdrawn, and will not be screened on Sunday. Why it changed its mind once again when it had decided to screen it, is beyond understanding. This is yet another indication of chaos inside the broadcaster, where different units of the same organisation talk past one another, and then land up working against one another.

We do not buy the argument by SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, that the booking on the SABC's programming schedule was provisional. This shows an unacceptably cavalier approach towards its own schedule. As the FXI has noted recently, the SABC has withdrawn other controversial programmes at the eleventh hour: something that the Corporation appears to do all too easily, and without public accountability. The latest withdrawal of the Mbeki documentary confirms the impression that the public cannot trust the scheduling information the SABC puts out, and should treat its contents with a pinch of salt.

(source: Freedom of Expression Institute (Johannesburg), 8 June 2007)

Zimbabwe/Uganda: Two More News Channels On DStv

At least two more news channels have been added to the DStv bouquet, providing alternative perspectives on international news and current affairs issues to the existing selection of channels. Kirsty Brien, marketing manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said Al Jazeera English had been introduced on DStv channel 62 while CNBC Africa had been developed as a new multi-purpose business and general information service for audiences across Africa.

Al Jazeera English is a 24-hour international news and current affairs channel that is part of the increasingly renowned Al Jazeera Network based in the Middle East state of Qatar. The channel went live on May 31 and early audience response has been favourable. Al Jazeera Network now broadcasts to more than 90 million cable and satellite households across the globe and is also available through live streaming and on YouTube.

The second additional channel, CNBC Africa, is a new affiliate of the international CNBC brand and went live on June 1 on DStv channel 54. CNBC Africa features exclusive content on Africa's stock markets, business and economic developments. Viewers will also be able to watch news and current affairs programming, with regular updates throughout the day.

(source: The Herald (Harare), 15 June 2007)

Broadcast

Namibia: Are NBC And SABC Bedfellows?

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and its South African counterpart (SABC) certainly have a lot of things in common. After all, both are public institutions administered along the same guidelines and principles. Just as the South African public broadcaster is battling to recoup its most prized asset, the broadcast rights for the popular Professional Soccer League matches from Pay Channel SuperSport - the Namibian public broadcaster is embroiled in an ugly row with the country's football authorities over the transmission of live matches involving the national football team, the Brave Warriors.

Thousands of football lovers across the length and breadth of the country were denied a golden opportunity to watch - let alone listen to - the airwaves for last weekend's crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier between Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo following an unavoidable spat between the two public institutions (NFA and NBC).

At the centre of the dispute is an apparent clause in the 40-million-dollar, five-year contract between the Consortium of Sponsors and the Namibia Football Association, which prohibits conflicting potential sponsors from entering the fray.

For starters, MTC would not want to see Cell One getting anywhere near a competitive football match on Namibian soil, nor will FNB entertain any thoughts of Standard Bank eyeing a slice from domestic football and neither would NBL be happy with downing a can of Castle beer at any soccer match under the auspices of the NFA.

Trouble started when the NFA Consortium of Sponsors reneged on an earlier undertaking with the Public Broadcaster to foot the bill for the live broadcast of the Namibia/Libya AFCON qualifier earlier this month. Ostensibly, NBC tried by all means to activate the agreement for last weekend's match between Namibia and DRC, but the financially muscled Consortium would have none of it - prompting the public broadcaster to look elsewhere for a broadcast partner.

Since there is no legislation that requires NBC to seek approval from the NFA to approach other potential broadcast sponsors, NBC acted within its right to rope in broadcast partners, albeit in conflict with the event sponsors.

The Consortium of Sponsors shot themselves in the foot because they stood to benefit immensely from the live broadcast of the match between Namibia and DRC without forking out a single penny for the live broadcast. As event sponsors, banners displaying logos of the Consortium were splashed all over the stadium and there was no chance the Television cameras would have missed them, which meant free advertising since more viewers were going to follow the live transmission as opposed to the few thousands in the stands.

(source:New Era (Windhoek), 22 June 2007)

Kenya: GTV Launches in Nairobi Promising Value, Quality

Pay Television channel, GTV, has launched its services in Nairobi. It announced that they would show live broadcasts of between 296 and 313 Barclaycard Premier League matches, including those that will determine winners of the League. These matches will form 80 per cent package they won in the bid for the lucrative Premier League, which is arguably the most popular foreign league in Kenya. The other pay-television channel, Multichoice, will show 20 per cent of the league.

GTV will also carry live broadcasts matches that will determine qualifiers for European Champions League, Uefa Cup and matches that will determine relegation or avoidance of relegation. Others are eight matches on the final day of the season. GTV said the Premiership is expected to select all of the decisive matches. The Premier League kicks of on August 11. It will also offer Serie A matches involving top 10 Italian clubs.

GTV is making entry in the region against the backdrop of low penetration of pay TV in the region. Estimates indicate that Africa has only one per cent of pay TV subscribers as opposed to 93 per cent in North America and 36 per cent in Western Europe. Although MultiChoice has been in Kenya for close to 12 years, it is yet to make significant inroads among the low-income earners. But they will show over 800 matches in Europe and South America.

(source: East African Standard (Nairobi), 21 June 2007)

Namibia: NBC Sinking in Red Ink

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) may soon find itself in a situation where downsizing and retrenchments are unavoidable, unless Government steps in to rescue the embattled broadcaster. Escalating financial problems, a high staff turnover, and technical equipment that is either obsolete or constantly breaks down are just some of the factors that have driven the corporation into an absolute state of emergency. The Namibian has reliably learned that the NBC's top management hopes to schedule a meeting with President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Cabinet to discuss the corporation's plight.

The NBC apparently hopes that strides made in its management since Director General (DG) Bob Kandetu's appointment has given it more leverage than before to ask for such assistance. Some of the successes include cutting the corporation's monthly expenditure from N$13 million to N$11.2 million in the last 10 months, increasing advertising income from N$17 million to N$23.9 million since last year, and collecting between N$50,000 and N$60,000 a month in TV licence fees, something that has never happened in the history of the NBC.

While the corporation has an annual operational budget of N$150 million, it has an income of N$90.8 million, it is understood. Sources also indicate that plans have been drawn up that entail reducing the operational budget to N$120 million - but should this happen, a number of programmes are likely to be negatively affected. The corporation's poor financial condition, its high staff turnover, and the fact that it has for the past four years failed to honour a promise to grant salary increases to staff, have also apparently led to understaffed departments. The department that is especially affected are said to be the News and Current Affairs, where reporters are apparently being asked to work double shifts and are often denied leave.

Other ideas being considered to save costs are said to include stopping indigenous-language news bulletins and closing more satellite offices, as has been done in the past. Through these measures, the NBC apparently hopes to save on personnel, operational, and freelance employees' costs. Government approved N$62.6 million for the NBC in its Budget this year - N$200 000 less than last year.

(The Namibian (Windhoek), 11 June 2007)

Botswana: New Radio Stations Herald Exciting Times

Last month the mass media marketplace became more competitive. The issuance of three national radio licences has given a new complexion to the broadcasting terrain. It has been a long haul to the National Broadcasting Board's decision to award national licences to Gabz FM, Yarona FM and Duma FM. The foundation though was laid eight years ago when the first private broadcasting licences were issued. Back then the beneficiaries were the same Gabz Fm and Yarona Fm to operate regional stations. Previously broadcasting had been the exclusive preserve of the state. As commentators have acknowledged, the lightning rod that sparked the process of broadcasting liberalisation was Patrick Gunda who brought action against the government for its refusal to grant him a licence to operate Radio Gaga. The position of government was that it lacked the enabling legislation to issue broadcasting authority. The subsequent court ruling, however, pronounced it unconstitutional for citizens to be denied private broadcasting licenses. This led to the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which provided for the establishment of the Botswana Telecommunications Authority.

Even then, challenges lie ahead. It is still early days to determine if they will fulfil the demands of national coverage. But the new players are expected to provide an additional platform for diverse voices and cultural products. Although Gabz FM and and Yarona FM have experience as regional broadcasters, it remains to be seen if a national audience will be as receptive to their content.

All three stations have their work cut out when factors such as the cost of the infrastructure to roll out nationally are taken into account. But the most critical question facing the entrants is whether the local advertising pie is large enough to support three new national broadcasters. It must be noted that besides the lofty ideals of providing a diversity of voices, commercial broadcasters exist primarily to turn a profit.

Unlike the state broadcaster, which is largely funded by government grants, the sole source of revenue for private broadcasters is advertising. But advertising follows audiences. With three stations to choose from, an advertising market which is largely homogenous, only the radio station with the most creative and appealing content will attract the listening public. The advertising imperative means the three stations will primarily cater for the urban and peri-urban audience. In terms of content, the popular format followed by FM stations is to offer talk radio involving studio discussions, phone-ins, political issues plus entertainment and music. Expressed differently therefore, the relationship between the three stations is going to be defined by fierce competition for advertisers and audiences. Another challenge will be local content. Existing broadcasting regulations recommend a quota of 40%. Although artists and producers hope the three stations will promote their cultural products such as music, this quota is inclusive of all programming. There is ambiguity regarding the amount of local music to be played. Imposing quotas for music is a controversial subject the world over.

(source: Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone), 11 June 2007)

Kenya: Introduce Sign Language, TV Stations Urged

The Government has no powers to compel media houses to introduce sign language. However, it has written to all media houses and the Media Owners Association, asking them to introduce sign language in their television news casts.

Information assistant minister Koigi wa Wamwere faced a deluge of points of order from MPs Justin Muturi (Siakago, Kanu) and Davies Nakitare (Saboti, Narc) who asked how the Government could not ensure people with disabilities followed events on television. Wamwere said media houses moved to court in 2004 after the enforcement of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003, and obtained a ruling prohibiting the Government from compelling them to introduce sign language. So far, he said, only KTN used sign language in one of its programmes.

The assistant minister urged MPs to pass the controversial Media Bill to give the Government teeth to compel media houses to implement sign language. Media houses are opposed to the Bill.

(source:The Nation (Nairobi), 14 June 2007)

Senegal: Radio Station Mired in Technicalities

For a while it appeared as if Madiambal Diagne might have found a way around the Senegalese government's apparent determination to keep him away from the airwaves. The well-known journalist and head of "Avenir communications" (Future Communications) had tried since 2003 to start a radio station, only to be told that frequencies were at saturation point -- this as pro-government persons succeeded in setting up stations, Diagne told IPS. Undaunted, Avenir bought a company that had already been allocated a frequency, Iso Trading Technologies (ITT), and established "Première FM" (First FM). The station looked set to become Senegal's newest private broadcaster. But now, it's at the centre of the newest press freedom controversy.

On May 31, Première FM's equipment was seized by police after the governmental Telecommunications and Postal Regulation Agency, Agence de régulation des télécommunications et des postes, (ARTP) accused the station of contravening various regulations. In one instance, equipment was said to have been imported into Senegal for the station by ITT without the necessary approval from officials. A second complaint alleged unauthorised use of a telecommunications link between Première FM's studios and its transmitters.

The veteran of Sud-FM (South FM, the first private station in Senegal) and of the government controlled Radio-Sénégal says it reflects the fact that competitors are "not happy" about the arrival of Première FM, and the prospect of losing well-known and experienced staffers to the new station. IPS could not obtain comment from government on the suspension of Première FM, which has 45 days to get in line with regulations.

(source: Inter Press Service (Johannesburg), 12 June 2007)

Sierra Leone: Friends of the Earth to Open Radio Station Soon

Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, Olatunde Johnson last week told Concord Times that his organization will be opening a new radio station later this year. He said the purpose of the radio station is to educate people about environmental and agricultural activities among other things. "Looking at the rate of illiteracy in the country, people love to listen to radio more than reading newspapers," he said. He said the station will help people get the correct information about what is happening in their communities.

Johnson noted that all the equipment to run the radio station is available and that the land on which they will be constructing the building was leased to them by the Ministry of Lands and the Environment. He disclosed that the project for the radio station is being funded by Farm Radio in Canada. "At the moment we find it difficult to partner with the government because of financial problems," Johnson disclosed, adding that most of their funding come from Friends of the Earth International.

(source: Concord Times (Freetown), 19 June 2007)

Distribution

South Africa: SABC Millions to Clinch Deal on British Soccer Matches

The dispute over the sale of Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcasting rights took another twist yesterday when it emerged that the SABC had bought rights to Monday night English Premier League matches for nearly US$40m over the next three years. The deal will see the SABC paying US$13m (R93m) a year for one low-profile English Premier League match a week over the next three years.

While SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago pleaded ignorance and said he was not aware of such a deal, English Premier League chairman Sir David Richards said from England that the public broadcaster had concluded the agreement earlier this year. "Yes, it is true. We have entered into an agreement with the SABC and they will have rights to one premiership match a week for US$10m a year for the next three years." The disclosure will come as a surprise to those who accused the PSL of greed after the league sold the rights to the domestic premiership to pay channel SuperSport International for R1.6bn over five years last week.

Even more shocking is the revelation that the SABC was prepared to pay R93m for a low-profile Monday night English premiership match -- Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool usually play on weekends -- when it had paid the PSL just R67m a year for the entire domestic premiership programme. Richards said he had played an advisory role in the prelude to the sale of the PSL broadcasting rights as he wanted local football to maximise its potential, just as English football did.

In the aftermath of the latest episode in the long-running saga Kganyago said that SABC CEO Dali Mpofu had requested an appointment with PSL chairman, Irvin Khoza to try resolve the broadcast rights impasse. "The CEO (Mpofu) wants to see if this cannot be resolved amicably between the two parties," he said. The SABC seems to have changed its attitude, as Mpofu was confrontational after the PSL awarded the rights to SuperSport last week.

In the meantime, free-to-air channel e.tv has taken advantage of the dispute and managed to secure the rights to televise local football live, with the purchase of the season-opening Telkom Charity Cup this week.

(source:Business Day (Johannesburg), 22 June 2007)

South Africa: Italian Serie A TV rights assigned

Media Partners & Silva agreed a deal with South African pay-broadcaster SuperSport for the TV rights for Italy’s Serie A in South Africa. Under the three-year deal, SuperSport will broadcast Serie A from the 2007-08 season to the 2009-10 season. The agreement also covers the Milan Channel.

Riccardo Silva, president of Media Partners & Silva said: "While approaching the 2010 World Cup, the broadcast of Italian Serie A will provide South African viewers with a world class football experience. The Milan Channel, with AC Milan as European Champions, will complete the picture with simply the best club football available in Europe".

(Sportbusiness.com, 18th June 2007)

Investment

Moroccan cinema: subsidy to rise to USD 12Mn by 2010, Minister

Some US$7 million has been be earmarked in 2007 to promote the Moroccan film industry, and is due to rise to US$12 million by 2010, said Minister of Communication, Nabil Benabdellah. Speaking Tuesday in Rabat at the opening ceremony of the national cinema conventions, Benabdellah said that the filmmaking industry is a strategic a sector, as it reflects the country's image and contributes to its economic growth. He said the rise in subsidy is due to the fast growing of the national production, which has reached 12 movies a year.

"The boost witnessed by the Moroccan cinema should be upheld in order not to fall in stagnation," said Minister of Culture, Mohamed Achaari. "This can be done by a support policy which motivates creativity," he added.

For his part, Director General of the Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM), Noureddine Sail, noted that an ongoing study reflecting on the national film industry, aims to give a clear image of the sector and to suggest remedies to boost production. The conventions revolved on different topics, namely “the national cinematographic production”, “distribution and resource management”, “foreign production in Morocco”, and “the development and promotion of the national cinema”.

(source: Moroccan Press Agency, 19th June)

Nigeria: Iredia Seeks Funds for Potiskum, Gashua TV Stations

The director general of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Tonnie Iredia, has called on the Yobe state government as well as authorities of Potiskum and Gashua local government areas in the state to assist with finances towards the completion and take-off of local NTA stations in the two local governments.

The director general noted that NTA Potiskum and that of Gashua, classified as local government stations, part of the aim to establish three NTA stations in each state, have been under construction in the last five years. He noted that community members of the two areas will have direct benefits, since signals from the main station in the state capital are not received across the entire state.

Iredia noted that apart from the fact that community will be informed about current happenings, it will also enjoy the benefit of reaching out to the people for mass mobilisation towards a particular course in addition to showcasing government activities and promoting policies.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tonnie Iredia has promised to ensure a more productive NTA station in the Yobe state capital by next week, through measures that would be immediately implemented to improve the quality of the station's output.

Announcing this while addressing staff of the station, the director general noted that how low staff capacity of the station will be over by next week saying that more personnel will be deployed to the station. He said the measure will reduce the current work load on the workers there by enhancing their productivity and leading to quality television services.

(source: Daily Trust (Abuja), 10 June 2007)

South Africa: Johncom Expects Jump in Earnings

Media company Johnnic Communications (Johncom), which owns media assets including Nu Metro cinemas and the Sunday Times as well as half of Business Day, said last week headline earnings per share would be 30%- 40% higher for the year to March. Attributable earnings a share were expected to increase 15%- 25%.

Johncom is selling its 38% stake in M-Net/SuperSport to media group Naspers, and Ambekar said that strong results reflected in the first half of the year meant future results for Johncom might not be as rosy after the sale.

However, his predictions were that M-Net would have increased its performance by 40%, outpacing core operations. He said that Nu Metro cinemas were likely to be the star performers, with a 55% increase. Ambekar said Johncom's losers for the year would be Gallo Music Group and its African operations which would have substantially increased their losses to R70m from last year's R40m .

(Business Day (Johannesburg), 14 June 2007)

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Regulation & policy

Liberia: Two Journalists Beaten by Police and UN Peacekeepers, One Seriously Injured

Reporters Without Borders condemns the use of violence by members of the national police and United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) against several journalists, including Daylue Goah of the privately-owned daily "New Democrat" and Evans Ballah of "Public Agenda", during a student demonstration on 19 June 2007. Goah was seriously injured.

"Such police brutality against journalists is disgraceful and unacceptable," the press freedom organisation said. "The police and UNMIL peacekeepers clearly lost control of the situation and used disproportionate violence. We are amazed by the clear lack of professionalism and self-control displayed by troops acting under UN authority. Everything must be done to shed light on these incidents and on the deliberate use of violence against the press, and those responsible must be punished."

Goah and Ballah were sent by their newspapers to cover a student demonstration against conditions on the University of Liberia campus, which degenerated into rioting on the main streets of the capital not far from the presidential palace and which elicited a forceful intervention by the security forces.

The two journalists were attacked by members of a joint Liberian National Police and UNMIL unit, who tore up their ID cards and forced them to delete the photos from their digital cameras. Witnesses said Goah was beaten on the neck and arms with batons and rifle butts by a member of the Special Security Service (which protects the president) and a Nigerian peacekeeper. He managed to escape and tried to get another soldier to protect him. Instead the two soldiers resumed beating him until he lost consciousness. Civilians took him to a hospital, where he is reportedly in a serious condition and unable to talk. According to Liberian press reports, several other journalists were also beaten by the police and UNMIL.

(Reporters sans Frontières (Paris), 21 June 2007)

Congo: Local ANR Officials Close Mayi-Munene Radio Station, Confiscate Equipment

JED condemns the closing of a community radio station emitting in Mayi-Munene, near Tshikapa, in central RD Congo, and the confiscation of its equipment, by local officials of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) on 9 June 2007.

JED has accused Ibrahim Tutulu and Gustave Amuri, the ANR officials who blame the station for "poisoning the population" and "functioning without the ANR's approval," of abuse of power. In fact, a 22 June 1996 law, laying down the rules for freedom of the press in DR Congo, does not refer to the ANR as having any kind of authority over the opening of a media outlet. As for "the poisoning of the population", JED notes that, once again, the ANR is involving itself in matters that are beyond its authority. The organisation recalls that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the authority regulating media in the DRC (HAM).

(Journaliste En Danger (Kinshasa), 18 June 2007)

Technology & convergence

Technology & Convergence

Africa: Strong growth forecast for MENA pay TV

The pay TV market in the Middle East and North Africa will grow by 36% over the next five years, according to new research published today. The fourth edition of Informa Telecoms & Media’s Middle East and Africa TV report shows that the region’s 4.5 million pay TV subscribers at end-2006 will grow to 6.1 million in 2012. Much of the growth will come from Israel and Turkey, who will account for 4.2 million pay TV homes between them at end-2012.

The Informa research also discovered that, of the region’s 54.8 million TV homes, 30.5 million have a multichannel TV service – giving a 55.5% penetration rate. By 2012, that number will approach 40 million, giving 62.3% penetration. The report identifies several other positive factors for the region, including: a common language and culture for much of MENA, media-friendly demographics weighted towards young adults, a tradition of high rates of TV consumption and the area’s relative wealth - driven by oil revenues.

But there are several factors inhibiting even greater growth – such as the disparity, across much of the region, between the disposable income of a wealthy minority and the rest of the population. As a consequence pay TV operators are often restricted to targeting only a relatively small proportion of wealthy locals, while also catering for a sizeable expatriate community.

According to Thomas: “In recent years we’ve seen the pay TV companies cutting their prices to bring in subscriber numbers. This has successfully added customers at the lower end, but further discounts are not viable, meaning they will have much more difficulty attracting subscribers from now on.”

(source: Al-Bawaba.com, June 17th)

South Africa: The Most Definitive Interactive Device

Recent research showed that the US was at the forefront of global mobile web growth, with a 300% increase in usage over the last year. And most remarkably, South Africa is not all that far behind. Bango.com, which created the first global exchange for the mobile web, reports that the top five countries accessing the web via Bingo in April this were the UK at 27%, the US at 21%, South Africa at 11%, India at 9% and Indonesia at 3%. In total, Bango detects mobile web users from over 190 countries.

(source: Biz-Community (Cape Town), 20 June 2007)

South Africa: Telkom Media: SA keen on pay TV

South Africans were willing to pay for subscription television services, research by Telkom Media revealed on Thursday. Spokesperson Chris Van Zyl said the market potential for satellite subscriptions could be as high as 2.3-million by 2012. This would be more than double the current number of households with access to pay television. The revelation comes in the wake of an application made on Tuesday to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) for a new cable or satellite television license. Seventeen other applicants were received by Icasa. If awarded the licence, the company will be launching internet-based television -- Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) -- in 2008.

Telkom Media chief executive Mandla Ncgobo, said: "The favourable economic climate in South Africa creates the ideal environment for the launch of pay TV. "The reason we don't have a higher uptake of satellite television services is that the 'middle market' is not addressed by the incumbent satellite player, DStv, which focuses on high-end consumers." He said more "flexibility in the structure of packages will pave the way for greater affordability, allowing us to offer bouquets of channels that start at approximately R100 a month".

Telkom Media will broadcast predominantly in English, but people interviewed by the 24-hour news channel would be interviewed in any official language of their choice, Ncgobo said. "In addition, special accommodation will also be made for people with disabilities."

"Local sport and local content is also important in terms of driving penetration of the target market and budgets have been made available to ensure provision of local content." Telkom Media will offer two media and entertainment services: satellite pay TV and cable TV. Its basic bouquet would include the news channel, an entertainment channel, a movie channel, a sport channel, a music channel as well as home shopping and education channels.

(source: SAPA, 14th June 2007)

Rwanda: Internet to Boost Newspaper Readership - Honderich

The former publisher of Canada's largest daily, The Toronto Star, has encouraged Rwandan newspapers to use the Internet as a partner to increase their clout and boost circulation. In a recent speech at the Kigali Serena Hotel, John Honderich said newspapers should strive to define themselves as both paper and Internet products.

He emphasised that newspapers have powerful brands and are trusted by their readers. He said the Internet's speedy nature means newspapers can use it to produce up-to-the-minute news and beat other media at their own game.

"The one thing that's always been said about a newspaper is the moment it is printed, it is out of date," Honderich said. "That is why radio and TV have always been able to beat newspapers by providing more up-to-date breaking stories than we can."

Honderich's comments come around the same time as a report from the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) which states daily newspaper circulation increased by 2.3 per cent in 2006. Advertising revenues also rose, the report says. It also states about 515 million people worldwide buy a newspaper every day. Average readership is estimated at 4 billion people, with copies often shared among many people.

"Newspapers are alive and well and exhibiting enormous innovation and energy to maintain their place as the news media of preference for hundreds of millions of people daily," said Timothy Balding, WAN's chief executive. He emphasised that newspapers are also making full use of "digital distribution channels" like the Internet to increase their audiences.

Honderich said newspaper newsrooms have more staff than their counterparts in radio and TV. This means they can devote more attention to their Websites, posting up-to-the-minute stories, streaming video, and more interactive features to attract readers.

He used his experiences at The Toronto Star as a benchmark. The Star's Website is one of the top three news Websites in Canada, and receives over 65 million hits a month, he said. He further emphasised that its readership has grown by over 20 per cent a year. He said of the top 10 news Websites in Canada, six are run by newspapers.

Honderich said this formula can easily be applied to newspapers like The New Times its website gets over 50,000 hits a day. Subscriptions to the paper increased by over 30 per cent in the last year, which he said makes him optimistic about the paper's future.

But Honderich emphasised there are challenges for Rwanda's news media. He said newspapers are still figuring out how to use the Internet to generate income, particularly with regard to advertising revenues. He also emphasised the importance of multimedia materials on Websites, and said streaming video is essential for news Websites, since people are "used to watching TV. The world today expects moving pictures," he said. "There are more and more reports that say those newspaper websites that don't have streaming video aren't doing as well."

Honderich spent the month of May working at The New Times as a publication advisor. He was in Rwanda as part of The Rwanda Initiative, a Canadian programme which works in partnership with Rwandan media organisations to aid their development.

(Source: New Times (Kigali), 14 June 2007)

Events

§ Durban International Film Festival (South Africa, June 23rd)

§ Arab Radio and Television Festival (Tunisia, June 2nd-7th)

People

Nigeria: Jigawa Fires Gm of State Radio

Jigawa State government has fired the general manager of the state's Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Jigawa), Hajiya Hauwa Sule Ringim, even as it relieved the secretary to the corporation, Hajiya Maryam Ahmed Ja'afar, of her duty. Though no reason was advanced for their removal, however, there were indications that the development might not be unconnected with the alleged lack lusture performance of the corporation. According to a letter signed by the Director of Administration and Finance, Cabinet Office Alhaji Iluyasu Umar on behalf of the secretary to the state government, the removal takes immediate effect. The letter explained further that the outgoing general manager has been directed to hand over the affairs of the station to programmes manager of the station, Malam Garba Malammadori immediately.

(source: Daily Champion (Lagos), 21 June 2007)

Nigeria: Osunbor Appoints Chief Press Secretary

Governor Oserhiermen Osunbor of Edo State, Tuesday, appointed Daniel Aigbavboa as his chief press secretary (CPS). Until his appointment Tuesday, he was the chief press secretary to the former Deputy Governor of the state under the Chief Lucky Igbinedion government, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe. Aigbavboa is an alumnus of the University of Benin and former manager of news with the state-owned Radio before he was seconded to Government House some years ago.

(source:Daily Champion (Lagos), 22 June 2007)

Opportunities

Seeking marketer/distributor for feature film

We are a French production company based in Paris (France) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast). We are registered with the Ministry of Commerce in Abidjan.

We are trying to find an organisation/person to market and distribute our feature film, Betting on Love (104m on 35mm and 16/9). It is in French and in English, shot on location in France, the Ivory Coast and Senegal. Betting on Love has been screened at a number of film festivals.

Synopsis: Caroline leads a rather quiet life as a hairdresser in Abidjan. While getting ready for her upcoming wedding, she suddenly wins a large sum at the horse races and soon finds herself living ‘the good life’ in Paris, having left her would-be husband for a deceitful man from the world of entertainment. However, there’s a twist… This film gives a keen insight into the hopes and aspirations of a new generation of Africans, young men and women from Abidjan, Paris and Dakar who are passionate about the things they do.

Anyone interested in distributing this film should send an e-mail to info@balancingact-africa.com and we will forward it to the company.

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