The Durban University of Technology is proud to announce that one of its lecturers, Miss Rene Smith, has been appointed by President Jacob Zuma to sit on the Media Development and Diversity Board (MDDA).

Ms Smith’s appointment was done in terms of Section 4 (1) (b) of the MDDA Act and followed a parliamentary public participatory process through the Portfolio Committee on Communications which recommended her as a board member.

Ms Smith, Senior Lecturer in the Media, Language & Communications Department at DUT is a media and development researcher, scholar and speaker. She has just completed a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal which will be conferred in April. Ms Smith has served on a range of governing boards and committees including the Review Board of the Film and Publications Board. There, she served two terms. She has also served in Icasa’s Broadcasting Monitoring and Complaints Committee (precursor to the CCC). She has worked in and consulted for civil society, public and private sectors and has lectured in media and communications at various institutions across South Africa.
Ms Smith is honored by her appointment, saying the MDDA is an important organisation mandated to, amongst others; redress exclusion and marginalisation of disadvantaged communities and persons from access to the media and the media industry as spelt out in the MDDA Act No 14 of 2002.

Essentially, the organisation seeks to encourage access to and ownership and control of media by historically disadvantaged communities, as well as to promote indigenous languages.

“This is no small feat given the imbalances created by our past,” said Ms Smith.

Ms Smith said the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications was rigorous in its interviewing process. Judging from the questions posed, Ms Smith said it clear that Parliament will continue to execute oversight to ensure the MDDA delivers on its mandate.

“In 2009 the MDDA commissioned research on Media Ownership & Control. The report is accessible online. The figures show clearly, there has been limited traction with respect to transformation of media ownership and control. Concentration of ownership, especially in the print media sector is a real challenge. The print media represented by the Print Media of SA (PMSA) further confirmed in Parliament in 2011 that ownership and control remains in the hands of a few, therefore the ideals enshrined in the MDDA Act of all citizens having access to the entire value chain of media are still not achieved. Change is never easy, but it is necessary. The law is very clear on what is required. Clearly what is needed is a careful balancing act and a commitment and dedication to the Supreme law of the land, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and MDDA mandate, with due regard to our most pressing development challenges,” she said.

Ms Smith’s appointment is effective 1 January 2012. Her appointment is for a term of office of three years. While the board has not yet met, Ms Smith says she looks forward to meeting her colleagues at the next board meeting.

– Sinegugu Ndlovu