Election Reporting Workshop REPORT 2014...Election Reporting Training May 2014 Page 5 2.3. Regional workshops Gauteng/North West The workshop took place in Johannesburg at Media 24

Election Reporting Training May 2014 Page 1

Election Reporting Workshop

REPORT 2014

“People, Parties and Polls: Strategic Reporting for the 2014 Elections in South Africa”

Compiled by: Bongi Bozo

Edited by: Louise vale


Contents:

1. Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

2. Description of the project………………………………………………………………………………………………3

3. Impression…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

4. Successes and Challenges………………………………………………………………………………………………11

5. Impression……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15

6. Lessons Learnt………………………………………………………………………………………………………………16

7. Way forward…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………17

Appendix 1

Regional Meeting Report…………………………………………………………………………………………………..18


1. Executive Summary

Region Participants Date

Gauteng/North West 16 21-22 January 2014

Eastern Cape

14 30-31 January 2014

Mpumalanga/Limpopo

24 6-7 February 2014

Western Cape

18 11-12 February 2014

KwaZulu Natal

17 18-19 February 2014

Free State/ Northern Cape

13 11-12 March 2014

2. Description of the project

The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) represents about 245 independent publishers in the

country. This is a national organisation for advancing the interests of the local community-based,

independent print media sector in South Africa.

The election reporting and skills development project came with the realisation that although media

has played a crucial role in covering the events prior and post elections since 1994 there is very little

coverage of how elections pan out in small and rural communities. Election coverage in South

African media tends to use a top-down approach with very little focus on highlighting citizen’s

voices. Hence, the regional workshops were titled the “People, Parties and Polls: Strategic Reporting

for the 2014 Elections in South Africa”.

The AIP facilitated election reporting workshops across the country. This training support by the

Open Society Foundation for South Africa (OSF-SA) was to equip community journalists with skills to

report on the 2014 elections.

2.1. Facilitators

In making sure that the project achieves its objectives two facilitators were appointed to conduct the

six regional training across the country. Derek Luyt, currently Director at the Centre for Accountable

Governance (CAG), has extensive experience with regard to government frameworks as well as

training journalists in investigating issues of governance, public resource management and

corruption. In his previous capacity he was head of Media and Advocacy at Public Service

Accountability Monitors (PSAM).

Raymond Joseph is a freelance journalist and a media consultant who trains journalists in the

restructuring of the editorial side of newspapers, including the news desk, newsroom and content.

He has vast experience in the media sector having worked as news editor for several daily, weekly

and regional newspapers. He is currently working on the launch of a digital news agency that will

harvest from and verify social media. Joseph is also very knowledgeable about the independent

publishing sector as he ran his own independent newspaper in Jeffrey’s Bay.


The two facilitators were selected based their on vast experience in the field of government and

journalism. Secondly, they complemented each other. Luyt has more knowledge on government

issues such as how the South African electoral system works, electoral acts, and analysing,

interpreting elections statics. Joseph, with his passion for journalism and for social media, assisted

the journalists to think how to cover the elections, which sources to use, story ideas, ethics of

election reporting, using social media to cover the elections.

2.2. Programme

As the second step of the process, the AIP met with the facilitators to discuss and draft the

programme. The programme outline was aligned with the project objectives to guarantee the

success of the election reporting and skills development project. The programme covered the

following sessions:

Planning coverage of the electoral process in SA

Reporting polls, survey and electoral research

Social media and elections

Ethics of election reporting

Customising election reporting strategies

Network of stringers to feed into mainstream media- revenue stream

Regional Meeting

Eighty two community journalists/ editors participated in training.


2.3. Regional workshops

Gauteng/North West

The workshop took place in Johannesburg at Media 24 training venue on 21-22 January 2014 with

thirteen participants from Gauteng and four from North West.

Gauteng

Publication Area

1. Inner City Gazette Johannesburg

2. Eastern Times inc Northern Times (2) Lynwood Ridge

3.Bua Sedibeng News Sebokeng

4. Cosmo Chronicle Cosmo city

5. Dinokeng News Lynn East

6. Bua Soweto News (2) Soweto

7. Soweto Bulletin Soweto

8.Kathorus Mail Voslorous

9.Y-Express Johannesburg

10.Sosh Times Pretoria

11. Loxion News Sebokeng

North West

Publication Area

12.Mmegadikgang District Newspaper Mafikeng

13.North West on Sunday Mafikeng

14.Vaaltimes Hartswater

15.Leseding News Rustenburg North

Eastern Cape

The workshop took place on 30-31 January 2014 in Queenstown. Eleven community

journalists/editors were trained in this workshop.

Eastern Cape

Publication Area

1. Ikhwezi laseMthatha Mthatha

2. Izimvo Zabantu King Williams Towm

3. Eagle Eye News Sterkspruit

4. Taxi Talk Mbizana

5. Ikamva LaseGcuwa Butterworth

6. Skawara News Comfivaba

7. Zithethele Community Newspaper

Port Elizabeth

8. Grocotts Mail (2) Grahamstown

9. Imbewu News East London

10. The Informer Alfred Nzo


Mpumalanga/Limpopo

Twenty community journalists/ editors joined the workshop; ten participants from Limpopo province

and ten from Mpumalanga. The workshop took place on 6-7 February 2014 in Orange River Lodge,

Middleburg.

Western Cape

Fourteen participants joined the workshop on 11-12 February 2014. The workshop took place at

Naspers Building in Cape Town.

Limpopo

Publication Area

1. Zoutpansberger Louis Trichadt

2. The Eye News Tzaneen

3. Ngoho News Thohoyandou

4. Nthavela Newspaper (2) Polokwane

5.Limpopo Rise n Shine Modimolle

6. Blouberg Today (2) Blouberg

7. Limpopo Mirror Thohoyandou

8. Seipone Newspaper Polokwane

Mpumalanga

Publication Area

9.Khanyisa Newspaper Ermelo

10.Umjidi Guardian Barberton

11.Mash News Lydenburg

12.Bushbuckridge News (2) Bushbuckridge

13. Nkomazi Observer Enhlanzeni

14. Ziwaphi Mbombela

15. Thaba Chweu (2) Sabie

16. African Eye News National

Western Cape

Publication Area

1. Winelands Echo (2) Cape Winelands

2. Gansbaai Courant Gansbaai

3. Muslim Views (2) Rylands

4. Die Hoorn Oustshoorn

5. Treasure Magazine(3) Goodwood

6. Cape Flats News Bonteheuwel

8. Impact 24/7 Atlantis

9. Dizindaba Goodwood

10. People’s Choice Cape Town


KwaZulu Natal

Fourteen journalists/editors from the KwaZulu Natal region participated in this training. The

workshop took place on 18-19 February 2014 at Olwandle Suite Hotel and Conference Centre in

Durban.

Free State and Northern Cape

Ten participants attended this workshop. Northern Cape and Free State are both very small regions

within the AIP; this is due to few independent publications available in these regions. Therefore, it

makes sense to combine the two regions. Township Times missed the Eastern Cape regional

workshop due to communication breakdown. The AIP allowed him permission to join the Free

State/Northern Cape region.

KwaZulu Natal

Publication Area

1. Isibane Sophakathi Newcastle

2. Umamgobhozi News Newcastle

3. Ezasexobho News Durban

4. Ezakwazulu News Pinetown

5.Inhloso Yesizwe Newspaper Ladysmith

6. Ikansi News Newcastle

7. Taxi Indaba Durban

8. Inhloso Yesizwe (2) Ladysmith

9. Thisability News Durban

10. Inkululeko News Durban

11. Intuthuko Newspaper Durban

12. KZN Newspaper Montclair

13. Ukholo News Durban

Free State

Publication Area

1. Puisano News Sasolburg

2. The Sports Eye Bloemfontein

3. Seipone News Times (2) Bloemfontein

4. Kuruman Chronicle Kuruman

Northern Cape

Publication Area

5.Die Horison (2) Upington

6. Mmaiseng Hartswater

7. Masilonyana News Theunissen

Eastern Cape

Publication Area

8.Township Times East London


3. Impressions:

Eastern Cape

Limpopo/Mpumalanga


Western Cape:

KwaZulu Natal


Free State/Northern Cape

Gauteng/North West


4. Successes and Challenges

4.1. Successes:

Eighty two community journalists participated in this project. One of the most important outcomes

of the training was that community journalists and editors left the training with realistic plans

outlining action before, during and after elections. The AIP has already seen results as newspapers

start to implement their plans. See one example here: http://www.easterntimes.co.za/election-

reporter/

Secondly, the plans drafted by the participants were very detailed and aimed at highlighting the

citizen’s voices. For instance, in the Eastern Cape, an idea was to look at special votes. The journalist

planned to follow up on the braille ballot paper which will be available for the upcoming elections.

They will interview the visually impaired to find out whether they can read the braille paper,

whether they comfortable to have an IEC person assisting them. Most plans across regions aimed at

discovering the citizen’s needs before analysing the manifestos. They planned to use vox pops or

focus groups as an effective way of doing research on polls and making sure their research is

representative of their communities.

Most importantly the participants understood the essential role they have to play after the

elections. The journalists planned to hold the government that comes to power into account of all

the promises made prior and during the elections. This is often a major challenge in community

media as the journalists tend not to cover what happens after the elections constructively.

Thirdly, the AIP had a very successful meeting with the Independent Electoral Commission of South

Africa (IEC) before the project was implemented. The aim of the meeting was to introduce the AIP as

well as this initiative to them. As the result of this meeting an IEC representative made a

presentation on DAY 2 of the training in four regions. The presence of IEC in these workshops proved

to be very helpful as facilitators could not respond to some IEC related questions during the

discussion. This also allowed journalists to establish relations with their IEC representatives prior to

the elections.

As a result of this project, community journalists are applying for press cards with the Print and

Digital Media SA (PDMSA) at a cost of R80.00. It was surprising to find out that most community

journalists do not obtain press cards and some were not even aware that they needed to have press

cards. The application for press cards is also an indication for the success of the project as they need

press cards for election coverage accreditation.

The AIP for the first time managed to get an office stationed at the IEC National Results Operation

Centre (ROC) in Pretoria. The AIP office staff were joined by editor and two journalists from the

Inner City Gazette and Eastern Times inc Northern Times. The community journalists from these

publications assisted the office to disseminate news to the members on the ground.

Information was disseminated via e-mails, facebook and twitter. The office had one external line

where publishers and journalists could call in to request any information. Access to IEC results

system also meant that independent publications could get audited election results of the specific

areas they cover as they are being counted.

http://www.easterntimes.co.za/election-reporter/http://www.easterntimes.co.za/election-reporter/


4.2. Impressions

Moses Moyo of Inner City Gazette at the AIP office at IEC national ROC

AIP office staff with Lydia Young (middle), IEC Media Coordinator at the IEC national ROC


The regional workshops also managed to bring the AIP members together. The community

journalists realised that they needed to work as a collective. Different communication channels

were made possible during the workshops. The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal created Google

share groups, Mpumalanga and Limpopo created a closed Facebook page. This was to ensure that

they can share information during the elections and also keep communicating with each other.

This was also an opportunity for the regions to discuss the challenges faced within the sector. One of

the significant outcomes of the regional meetings was two new advertising co-operatives being

established both in Mpumalanga and Limpopo as a result of the regional meetings. The Eastern Cape

has seen the successes from the advertising co-operative in KZN and requested mentoring from KZN.

The Free State had just established a new advertising co-operative and as result of this project, they

have opened a space for Northern Cape region in their region. (See Appendix 1 for detailed report

on regional meetings).

4.3. Challenges:

The AIP recognises the fragility of the sector. Community journalists in almost all regions highlighted

the limitation in resources which may cause stumbling blocks in implementing their plans. A

guideline on Media Coverage of the elections was circulated and it was emphasised that it needs to

be adapted according to the resources available in their newsrooms. The collective efforts to share

information on elections also came from the journalists during the workshop. This was to ensure

that publishers who do not have the capacity to cover some events also take advantage of the

information made available to them.

Community journalists also pointed out a concern when presenting their plans. They emphasised

that they do not have the final decision in the newsroom therefore, they cannot guarantee if the

plans will be implemented. The community journalists planned to share their plans from the training

with colleagues in the newsrooms. However, the journalists wanted to cover the elections and even

if they cannot implement the whole plan but they will still pitch and cover election related stories.

The participants were introduced to the Electoral Act and how they can use it as a tool on election

coverage. On 5 March 2014, the election timetable and voting station list as published in the

Government Gazette (also uploaded on www.aip.org.za ) was circulated to all The AIP picked up that

most participants lack knowledge on government procedures such as analysing Annual Reports,

Auditors Reports and the Integrated Development Plans (IDP) which can be used as tools to hold

government accountable. The facilitators referred to such documents and made themselves

available should a journalist need assistance in covering such stories.

In Free State the community journalists said that it might be difficult for them to implement their

plans holistically without taking into account the environment they operate under. This is due to fact

that most of their advertising comes from local government which has the ANC as the ruling party. If

they are to inform their communities of all the other political parties and cover their campaigns for

the upcoming elections, municipalities may withdraw advertising. The publications have already

received warnings. This describes the challenging environment the independent publishers operate

in and the lack of understanding of other institutions that media is a centre of democracy. The

participants were asked to report such incidents so that the AIP can assist. The AIP has been working

http://www.aip.org.za/


closely with the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and other strategic partners which will be in

position to support the publishers.

The AIP sees occupying the office as the IEC National ROC as a milestone achievement. However, the

organisation took this as a learning curve. The organisation struggled to respond to responses due to

limited internet, one telephone line available and one IEC computer. This made the flow of

information to the journalists at the ground not easy. The AIP team will be able to organise itself

better for the local government elections in 2016.

4.4. Logistics

There were a few logistical challenges. The AIP had difficulty in getting a central venue for Northern

Cape and Free State. The workshop in the Eastern Cape was hosted in Queenstown after a board

member insisted on the area. Although everything went well, East London would have been more

central than other areas.

The AIP also realises that in future it needs to open the possibility for some participants coming from

far to be booked an extra night. This will make sure that all participants stay throughout the training.

This will prevent participants leaving before the training ends because they have to drive long

distances. This will also ensure that participants do not get home after midnight as experienced by

the North West region.

The AIP does not have funding for the monitoring impact of this project. It would have been

interesting to monitor the outcomes of the project and if there has been any change in terms of

election reporting in community media. The organisation has requested participants of this project

to send them copies of their election reporting coverage.

Few publications sent copies of their election reporting; all received articles indicated good

community reporting of the elections which focused more on voting education and highlighted the

voices of the community.


5. Impressions:

From Left; Imbewu News, Taxi Talk, Eagle Eye News and Skawara News planning election coverage

Planning what to do during

elections


Ngoho News editor, passionately discuss his plan for the elections

From left: Eastern Times

inc Northern Times and Bua Sedibeng News discussing election reporting.

6. Lessons Learnt

These were the first elections marked by the availability of social media. However, one of the lessons

learnt during this project is the fact that the use of social media in community media is still limited.

The community journalists are not using social media to their advantage. There is a clear need to

train community journalists on how to integrate social media in their newsroom and how to use

social media

There is also a greater need for institutions such as the IEC to work closely with independent

publishers. The journalists realise their role to disseminate credible information within communities

especially those at the lower LSM. However, information resources such as IEC do not take

advantage of community newspapers. More collaborative efforts between media and other

institutions can contribute to making sure that through credible information, all citizens participate

fully in all democratic processes of the country.


Secondly, it was interesting to see how journalists became passionate when discussing ethical issues.

One of the outstanding lessons learnt during this session is a challenge that journalists are faced with

on a daily basis. Community journalists often face challenges when practising their role as member

of the press in their respective communities. Their watchdog role does not occur in isolation of their

neighbourhood or the personal relationships.

Advertising and financial sustainability of the sector remains the biggest threat. Community

journalists are passionate about the work they are doing within their community. They see

themselves contributing to transformation and playing a developmental role within their

communities. However, the issue of advertising came up as a major challenge in all regions during

the discussions. One of the major concerns that also came up during a discussion on ethics is the fact

that the publishers are expected to compromise content at times.

7. Way Forward

In the evaluation forms the majority of participants indicated a need for skills development on

advertising, business skills and on social media.

Aip has received a grant from FP&M Seta for further regional workshops. These workshops will deal

with specific aspects of advertising. A needs assessment conducted by the AIP indicated a great need

for skills development on advertising and financial management. The AIP will conduct regional

workshops on advertising from June- October 2014.

The AIP, in conjunction with Mobi Media, is in the process of piloting a project in the development

of mobi sites and a syndication platform. If successful the AIP will fundraise for the concept to be

launched before the end of this year. A workshop on reporting using social media will go parallel

with the launch.

The AIP will to arrange a meeting early 2015 with the IEC. The meeting is to ensure that AIP and IEC

work collaboratively for the 2016 local government elections. This training has provided a good basis

for the reporting of the municipal elections.


Appendix 1:

Regional Meetings: The regional meetings were schedule as part of the Election Reporting and Skills Development Project supported by the Open Society

Foundation for South Africa (OSF-SA). The independent publishers do not often find spaces to network and discuss issues facing them on the ground. The

AIP saw the project as an opportunity to host regional meetings.

Gauteng/ North West 21-22 January 2014

No regional meeting held

Gauteng and North West had their last regional meeting in November 2013.

The next regional meeting is scheduled to take place in the second quarter of 2014

Eastern Cape 30-31 January 2014

The members complimented the AIP on its efforts. There was a need to give clarity on the mandate of the AIP. Previously this region had not received a good impression of the role of the AIP.

Advertising co-op was dissolved and a new co-op has been established.

The co-op currently has about fifteen members and it is still recruiting other publications in the region to join the co-op

AIP Board representative will sit in the executive meetings of the co-op as an observer; this will allow him to report back to the national office.

The executive members of the advertising co-op admitted that it has been a challenge to get the co-op off the ground and to put systems in place.

The AIP board representative was tasked to request KZN to assisting in advising and mentoring the further development of the co-op.

Limpopo/Mpumalanga 6-7 February 2014 Mpumalanga:

One major issues discussed was advertising. The meeting agreed to construct an action plan outlining timeframes and responsibilities. The region saw a great need to establish an advertising co-op.

Action plan with timeframe as agreed in the meeting:-

Western Cape 11-12 February 2014

Regional meeting could not be held due to ten delegates representing six publications.

Western Cape will have its regional meeting on the second quarter of the year.


-Everyone to send their rate cards to Tom by Monday. -Tom to establish a flat rate card for all members. - Everyone to be ABC certified within 3 months. -Nelisiwe to design the logo by Thurs and share with members. -Members to approve logo by Friday. -Tom to develop an MOU for all members of the co-op by Friday -Sipho to assist in registering the company. -Members to send certified application ID to Sipho by Monday. (Sipho to let the members know about any financial implications). -Nelisiwe to draft an advert for sales rep to be appointed. Limpopo (Mathapelo)

Board member gave brief description of the AIP activities for 2014 and benefits of being an AIP member.

A need for more collaborative efforts in the region was suggested: - Publications to share information and stories - To look into different ways of funding regional meetings in order

to ensure that members meet regularly - Limpopo Independent News Network (LIN) is seen as an

association for white publishers. - An urgent need to establish an advertising co-operative that will

represent all publishers was discussed.


KwaZulu Natal 18-19 February 2014

Board member gave feedback to the members on AIP activities.

A report on advertising was presented

Update on recent meetings with FCJ, SPI (upcoming workshops in June/July 2014), MDDA-Sanlam awards

The regional members voiced their concerns about the MDDA-Sanlam awards. They suggested AIP pull out of the awards and establish its own awards. The board members presented this suggestion at AIP board meeting on 19 March 2014.

Free State/ Northern Cape 11-12 March 2014 AIP to assist: -More training on marketing and advertising strategies -AIP to lobby for national and retail advertising -AIP assist in finding sponsors to cover printing - Business management training that will assist in sourcing sponsorships and also assist the newspaper to learn how to sustain their businesses -Workshop on digital/ social media Issues: -Retailers who do not advertise with small publishers -It was suggested since Northern Cape and Free State are treated as one region by the AIP, Northern Cape must join Free State co-op - Few local municipalities do not advertise in community newspapers. It was suggested for AIP to organise a media workshop and call communication officers.

Documents

Election Reporting Workshop REPORT 2014...Election Reporting Training May 2014 Page 5 2.3. Regional workshops Gauteng/North West The workshop took place in Johannesburg at Media 24