A need to work together refined
Electronic and print media need to have a good working relationship .
MBOMBELA – There is a dire need for the media, both electronic and print, to forge a closer working relationship with
government communicators in order to enhance communication on service delivery
issues.
This was spelled out by the spokesperson in the office of deputy
president Mr Kgalema Mothlante, Mr Thabo Masebe during the 4th Media Networking
Session organised by the Ehlanzeni District Municipality’s corporate services
unit last Friday.
It was attended by media houses, provincial government and
district and local municipalities’ communicators, including Salga, among
others.
Said Masebe, “These two components of communication – media and
government – are vital in getting information across to all spheres. There are
issues which need more clarity, and the media is the right channel to
disseminate it.
“The media is also a mediator between us and the people, and
we rightly welcome their investigations into communities, which, in turn,
assists us as government to correct our wrongs, and not take it negatively
because we’re not everywhere and are not perfect.
“It would be perfect if
communicators could liaise closely with editors of the different media houses on
their campaigns and motivate why their stories or programme need to be
publicised. Keeping a distance from each other doesn’t assist us in any way,”
said Masebe.
The SABC’s provincial regional manager, Mr Quinton Lenyai, also
spelled out that his institution was open for serving the entire community of
the province through radio stations such as Ligwalagwala FM and Ikwekwezi FM, as
well as SABC TV.
“We’ve been partnering with government on very important
matters and we provide an equitable platform to disseminate information to the
public. We’ve also got our current affairs programmes which go a long way in
ensuring that issues are clarified,” said Lenyai.
The provincial manager of
Government Communications and Information Systems, Mr Tisetso Ramotse, delivered
a message of support for the initiative.
He said, “Government supports such
ventures because it is an easier way of disseminating information to the public.
Media and government need each other every step of the way.”
Mpumalanga
News/Mirror editor, Mr Bongani Hlatshwayo, reiterated Lenyai’s words when
he said: “We have been enjoying a long-standing relationship with government
departments and municipalities for many years now.
“The platform we’ve
offered to them, is to rightly interpret the government’s RDP, the main
objective of which is service delivery. We ensure that it is rightly implemented
and where it isn’t, we bring it to the fore.
“As for programmes, we have been
partners where it matters most, and it is working for the better for our readers
and the community at large,” he said.
EDM’s head of communications, Mr Lucky
Ngomane, facilitated a dialogue entitled “Advancing credible information to the
public” which engaged the communicators and the media on the floor on different
issues affecting both parties.
This year’s session was even better than the previous ones as it was more about seeking resolutions in an amicable manner
than the confrontational manner of the past.
It is hoped that through such
interactions, the Mpumalanga Media Club could be revived in the not too distant
future, but it would need the active participation of all parties involved.
