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  • Community Media 

 

Projects that are registered as a Section 21, NPO, NGO or CBO can apply for this category. 

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The MDDA Act defines community media as “any media project that is owned and controlled by a community where any financial surplus is reinvested in the media project”.

 

Community media projects are defined as a geographic community or a community of interest. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on public participation and is not for profit.

  • Small commercial media 

 

Projects that are registered as a Sole Proprietorship; Close Corporation or Private Company can apply in this category. 

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The MDDA Act defines small commercial media as “independent media enterprises or initiatives that are run for personal gain as micro, very small or small business as classified in the National Small Business Act, 1996.


Small business "means a separate and distinct business entity, including co-operative enterprises and non-governmental organizations, managed by one owner or more which… can be classified as a micro-, a very small, a small or a medium enterprise by satisfying the criteria mentioned in columns 3, 4 and 5 of the Schedule…”.

 

The Act uses three indicators: Number of people employed, turnover and assets of the business.

 

Criteria for Funding

The following criteria are taken into account when the MDDA Board adjudicates an application:

  • The extent to which the project promotes media development and diversity.

  • The likely impact of the project on historically disadvantaged communities and persons not adequately served by the media.

  • The likely impact of the project on historically diminished indigenous language and cultural groups.

  • The extent to which the project encourages ownership, control, participation and access to media by historically disadvantaged communities and persons.

  • The extent to which the project develops human resources, training and capacity building within the media industry, especially among HDI’s.

  • The quality and innovation of the project.

  • Whether the project is likely to promote literacy and a culture of reading.

  • Compliance with media laws.

  • The existing or potential financial sustainability of the project.

  • The independence of the project from any commercial media entity; any political party or the Government.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Community Broadcast projects must be

  • Registered as a Section 21 company, NPO, NGO or CBO.

  • Hold a valid Class Broadcast Service Licence.

  • Hold a valid tax compliance certificate.

 

Community Print/Digital projects must be

  • Registered as a Section 21 company, NPO, NGO or CBO.

  • Hold a valid tax compliance certificate.

 

Small commercial print/digital media projects must:

  • Be registered as sole proprietorship, close corporation or private company.

  • Qualify as “independent media enterprises or initiatives that are run for personal gain as micro, very small or small business as classified in the National Small Business Act, 1996."

  • Hold a valid tax compliance certificate.

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