20100420 sabc
Nozintombi Miya
The key focus on the third day of the Common Wealth Broadcasting (CBA) conference today was “delivering quality local content and dealing with people's issues, should be the cornerstone of any public broadcaster."
Delegates attending the conference stressed the importance of regularly reviewing services provided by public broadcasters to the public. However a sharper focus on telling the human story was needed., and it was emphasised that it was also crucial to provide a platform for ordinary people to listen, assess and discuss topical issues.
SABC Head of News Phil Molefe said that one of the key lessons was for newsroom people to allow their services to become a public space - to allow the public to participate in the exchange of news and for more ordinary voices to be heard.
Mark Scott, MD of Australia's public broadcaster ABC stressed the need for positive change and for public broadcasters to also innovate in the arena of social networks and other new media . He also suggested governments contribute to public broadcasters funding models, to help sustain them.
“I think what’s important in the Australian context; even if we are funded by government, is we belong to the Australian people - they are our shareholders and our boss”. Scott added.
Around two hundred international delegates are at the conference, which ends tomorrow.
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