new tv station to give cape town civil society a voice 
08 May 2008
 
The station, which was founded by more than 200 non-profit organisations three years ago, aims to give a “weak” civil society structure in the province a presence on TV.  It will also mean that community organisations, trade unions, NGOs, educational institutions and the government would all become content providers and would form the economic basis of CTV, said Martin Jansen, chairman of the CTV board.

To maintain its credibility and prevent the station from being used for propoganda , its membership excludes political parties and organisations, religious groups and big business.  Jansen said that from the beginning the station had been clear about the dangers of being misused and had decided on what its membership structure should be, while still being “fully representative of diverse interests”. The station will also be strictly regulated by Icasa.

Membership, at a cost of R1000 a year, is open to any organisation with “developmental orientation” in arts and culture, education, sport, labour and nonprofit organisational fields.

Jansen said the fee structure contributed to the “democratic ownership and funding”, rather than the channel having to solely rely on “commercial revenue”.  CTV is expected to reach a “maximum” 1,5-million viewers, based on figures from the All Media and Products Survey. Initially the station would broadcast for six hours from 4.30pm.

Programming would be vetted by a selection committee which would implement the station’s “policy directive governed by an independent board made up of the various sectors represented among its members”.

Karen Thorne, acting station manager, said the startup cost would be kept to a minimum and the “rock bottom” cost in the first year would be R3m.

Chris van Gass,   www.businessday.co.za