Releasing media production

#SAmedia #Fees2017 #media #funding #mediadiversity

What we need is funding models that operate outside of the commodification and corporate monopolisation of everything. This requires a shift away from neoliberal economics. We need state intervention in the market that creates space for developmental media, alternative media, community media and advocacy media to operate in a context where a free press is not merely protected by constitutional mechanisms, but also in a context where legislation ensures that commercial entities are prevented from buying out or pushing out these forms of media. In other words, the state should ensure that commercial media ‘stay in their lane’ to ensure that we have true media diversity beyond mere brand diversity.

While I agree with the broad ideological points above, the requirement of money to produce will always be sought from the market and those with money. That comes with terms. Government, while it may be argued has looser brand association requirements, also has terms. It is unclear at this time for me which systems of power would so openly support other systems that seek to question it. That doesn’t mean it would be actively discouraged but limits on those freedoms exist — leading us back to the same needs described above.