MMP’s wishlist for State of Nation Address

Dear Mister President,

We at the MMP would really appreciate it if you would grant our wishes and mention the following in your State of the Nation Address on Friday:

1. The Film and Publications Amendment Bill of 2005 is withdrawn with apologies.
   
2. The Home Affairs offices will be allowed to concentrate and commit itself to its core tasks by moving the Film and Publications board to a more media-focused body. This body could potentially be the Department of Communications or ICASA.
   
3. Announce an emergency action plan to reinvigorate, refocus and reiterate ICASA’s fundamental and independent role.
   
4. Continue to commit to developing media diversity and pluralism in South Africa and the introduction of revised legislation for the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), ensuring the media industry doubles their contributions to the MDDA.
   
5. Reaffirm the fundamental importance of a critical, balanced and fair public broadcaster that meets the needs of all people in South Africa.
   
6. Ensure the Sexual Offences Bill and Child Justice Bill are afforded the priority they deserve and with the necessary input are passed as soon as possible.
   
7. Request to reinstate John Perlman at SAFM.
   

Thanking you in advance for your kind consideration.

Yours Sincerely,

The Media Monitoring Project

The MMP is a human rights driven, non-governmental organisation specialising in media monitoring with the goal of advancing a media culture, in SA and the rest of the continent, that is critical and fair, free, diverse and ethical. For more, go to www.mediamonitoring.org.za.