THE WAY FORWARD • The proliferation of ‘fake news’ which has undercut the very basis of genuine news houses’ integrity to some degree. • The absence of transparency with regard to the decision by DStv not to renew Afro Worldview’s (the channel that took over from the Gupta-linked ANN7) licence in August 2018 after its contractual term had ended. • The ongoing lack of safety for journalists. • The lack of organisation among journalists in terms of unions. • Despite having a new board, the SABC is in the ‘red’ and on its knees financially. The panel discussion took place at Magaliesburg, Rustenburg on 14-16 September 2018. 2. 64 What kinds of activities are needed over the next three to four years? • Getting issues of convergence regarding telecommunications and broadcasting regulated under one department and not two, ‘or we’ll go backwards’. It was noted that with a new president in power and a new communications minister, the opportunity was ripe to lobby for these departments to be reunited. [Organisations responsible: SOS/MMA.] • Repealing of criminal defamation law. [Organisation responsible: FXI to start the process.] • Strengthening the accountability of Chapter 9 institutions, such as ICASA, to enable it to fulfil its role of monitoring and enforcing broadcasting licence stipulations. [Organisations responsible: SOS/MMA.] • Research to be conducted on the economics of the media with a view to finding alternative models dealing with sustainability imperatives. Proper readership/viewership studies need to be done to determine how people are accessing their news, with young people’s concerns being included. [Organisations responsible: MDDA/Sanef, the latter which has already submitted a funding proposal to conduct research into media economics.] AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2018