MeD8 Media the publisher of Student Living SA & 9 SA community publications jet to USA for digital innovation programme!
MeD8 Media and nine other South African community publications are set to fly the SA flag high in the United States of America (USA). This forms part of enhancing and securing the future of journalism in South Africa which is grasping at straws.
According to the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP), an organisation that advances the interests of local independent publishers, the state of South African media needs to comprehend the advancement of the 4th industrial revolution.
The AIP has delegated ten (10) community media houses in the country, including publications such as the Informer newspaper based in Matatiele outside Eastern Cape, Nhluvuko Nthavela in Limpopo and Intuthuko from KZN to participate in a study tour in the USA.
AIP made the announcement early in December 2022 of its selection of ten community publishers that will be taking part in the 21-day US study trip as part of an exciting new partnership project to build the sustainability of print and online community media. This has been exciting news for the managing member of Med8 Media and publisher of a number of independent community newspapers in South Africa, Chris Mcinga, to be taking part in the trip.
“The trip promises possibilities in shaping the future for all media in South Africa, which is why we encourage all news media organisation’s to engage with the delegates before they go abroad.
This is to allow the news organization an opportunity to share their challenges and success stories which will be used to come up with sustainable strategies for the sector,” said Mcinga.
With over 15 years in the community news media, he has seen the digital transformation of larger media organizations, however not much in the independent media space (Radio and Newspapers), remarked Mcinga.
Earlier this year, AIP was granted funds through the US Embassy in South Africa to partner with one of the world’s leading academic institutions focused on journalism, the Institute for International Journalism (IIJ) within the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, USA.
The publishers were chosen through a rigorous and complex selection process from a list of over 60 applications.
An independent panel of community media experts analysed applicants’ print and online presence, originality of content, AIP activity participation and dedication to community media.
The overarching aim of the study tour is for each of the 10 publishers to develop a unique, relevant sustainability plan for their publication.
This will include building partnerships with local radio and TV stations, NGOs, government, and other local role players. Sustainability should be the focal point for all legacy media businesses. You can’t talk sustainability without touching on topics such as digital transformation and innovation,” said Mcinga, the co-founder of Med8 Media.
On their return to South Africa, the publishers will participate in four workshops organised around the country to consolidate and extend their learning and to share lessons with other publishers.
“The US trip is planned for the US summer of 2023, the AIP will be in touch with the successful applicants about all arrangements,” said the AIP.
The ten community publications selected to take part are:
1. Dizindaba (Western Cape)
2. Intuthuko (KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Likhanyile Group (National)
4. MeD8 (National)
5. Muslim Views (National)
6. Nhluvuko Nthavela (Limpopo)
7. Pondoland Times (Eastern Cape)
8. The Informer (Eastern Cape)
9. ThisAbility (National)
10. Xenor (Gauteng)
For media enquires:
Email: neo@med8.co.za
Call: 079 485 6667
Interviews: 076 525 8306
AIP Enquires: support@aip.org.za
