How to spot fake news - Infographic by IFLA

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has compiled the "How to spot fake news"- infographic based on FactCheck.org’s 2016 article How to Spot Fake News.

As librarians, information professionals and archivists we need to be vigilant with regards media literacy and critical thinking. Especially when working in the broadcasting industry where the facts should be reliable.

IFLA encourages downloading, printing, sharing and crowdsourcing this Infographic.

The more we crowdsource our wisdom, the wiser the world becomes.

World Radio Day on 13 February 2015 #WorldRadioDay

World Radio Day

World Radio Day is on 13 February 2015.

The SABC Radio Archives supports this day each year by showcasing our collections from all the SABC Radio Broadcast Services.
We have a duty to preserve this rich heritage, as well as make this collection available for research, re-broadcast and re-use.

Celebrating Radio 

From news and public debate to music and entertainment, radio continues to inform, captivate and inspire us in a way that no other medium can. 

But radio is so much more than a forum for information and entertainment. It reaches more people in more places than any other medium. It’s a bridge of communication for remote communities, developing regions and vulnerable populations, sometimes with no other connection to the outside world. Perhaps no other platform can have the real-time reach between people and across cultures. 

Radio is also the medium best-adapted to navigate the new digital frontiers that are pushing the media and communication into unchartered waters. Technologies such as the Internet, mobile communication and geolocation have shifted the traditional dynamic in which the media operate, with young people at the fore-front of these converging trends, at the same time embracing radio as enthusiastically as ever. 

So let’s come together on 13 February not only to celebrate the importance of radio in our lives today, but to ensure it lives up to its huge potential in the future.

World Radio Day Message: UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova 



Related posts:

 - The importance of radio – on World Radio Day 2013 #WRD13 #worldradioday

- World Radio Day 2013 Press Release


Blog post by Karen du Toit, Archivist, SABC Radio Archives. 

Election debate 2014 at Pella, Northern Cape - report from the technical producer

By Rena Maghundu
RBF Technical Producer

Pella is a pristine town in the Northern Cape. The X-K FM current affairs team and RBF recorded an outside broadcast (OB) of a pre-election debate with the community of Pella to make their voices heard.

The team were surprised by the beauty of the nature as they turned into the gravel road leading to the town. Pella is situated 30 kilometres outside of Poffader. From Kimberley they had to drive for a day to get to Pella, passing through Upington as well.

"Pella is an oasis in Namakwa (Bushmanland) in the Northern Cape province of South Africa earlier known as Cammas Fonteyn, the spring was used by a nearby stronghold of the San people. In 1776 a South African Dutch farmer called Coenraad Feijt settled there and lived in harmony with the San despite their fondness for raiding the cattle of the Dutch farmers in the Hantam. A nearby farm called Aggeneys later became the site of the modern mining town of that name." - Wkipedia

The Cathedral in Pella

Pella

The team went in search of a river in the area as as the area is very dry, but could only found the place where the river dried up.

A drive in the surrounding area of Pella

They were amazed to see the high mountains with small trees. The beauty of the area made an impact on them.

The Team

Left Ulrich Hendriks; middle Rena Maghundu and right Tressel Katembo

Back Magdalena Juharra 

Picture by Fresto Mangumbu

The team for the outside broadcast consisted of five people, four from news and one from RBF.


Pella Pre-election Debate

Community Hall in Pella

The big day of the broadcast arrived, with political parties in attendance to face the community of Pella. The beautiful decorated hall added to the rural charm of the environment, as well as gave the team motivation to do their job.
Tressel Katembo and Fresto Mangumbu handled the proceedings in the hall.

Magdalena Juharra was the producer of the day, ensuring the success of the broadcast. Rena Maghundu, the only technical producer in the team, took the pictures.

Magdalena Juharra and Rena Maghundu during the broadcast (on far right)

Ulrich Hendriks handled the floor microphone and made sure they heard what the political parties were saying. He gets a special mention because it is very difficult to handle the floor microphone when the people got angry when their hands were raised for too long.

-----------------------------

Rena Maghundu thanks RBF and News Management for giving her the opportunity to attend the OB and to visit Pella. She also thanks her team members for their support during this time.


Blog post and pictures by Rena Maghundu.

Mediatech Africa 2013

From Mediatech 2013

The SABC personnel had the pleasure of attending Mediatech Africa 2013.

"A hub of interaction and home to the latest in ground-breaking technology, the expo showcases new innovations, technologies and products that attract kingpins in the media and entertainment industry. 2011’s show saw 6395 tech savvy key decision makers walk through the doors of the Coca Cola Dome to experience the latest trends in advanced technology, broadcasting, pro AV and entertainment. Over 800 brands were represented by 120 exhibitors, giving visitors a dynamic and unique spread of technical products and services."

The SABC, as one of the biggest broadcasters in Africa, had a huge presence at the Show.

The Big Outside Broadcast Van draw huge interest this year.

From Mediatech 2013

Inside the SABC's OB Van.

From Mediatech 2013

The SABC Digital Terrestial Television exhibit at Mediatech also drew a large interest.

From Mediatech 2013

The archivists got exited about an exhibition of old formats of sound and radio recording and playback equipment.

From Mediatech 2013

More photos were uploaded on the SABC Media Libraries Picasa Album: Mediatech 2013

Blog post and photos by Karen du Toit (Archivist, SABC Radio Archives)

The importance of radio – on World Radio Day 2013 #WRD13 #worldradioday

As seen from the perspective of the SABC Radio Archive archivists.

This is the second year in a row that World Radio Day is being celebrated worldwide.
It is a day to highlight the importance of radio, and for broadcasters to make a connection to cooperate.

World Radio Day and UNESCO are focusing on the “promotion access to information and freedom of expression over the airwaves”

The SABC Radio Archives in South Africa collects and receives radio material from all South African Broadcasting Services (SABC) public broadcast services (PBS).
The material is catalogued and stored in various repositories across South Africa.


The archivists at SABC Radio Archives in Johannesburg have the following to say about the importance of radio:

Refiloe Jele (Acting Manager & Music Archivist): My history and my culture on record!

Johann Greyling (Sport Archivist & Team Leader: Cataloguing): Radio is the most important medium of communication in the world; it reaches where TV, the internet and no print medium can dream to reach.

Obakeng Phiri (Archivist: Sound Restoration): 1. Radio as a wealth of information is always readily available; 
2. Radio continues to play an important role in information sharing; and,
3. Radio broadcasts provide real-time information, broadcasting 24 hours a day to provide the most recent updates to listeners.

Retha Buys (Request archivist & Springbok Radio custodian): Radio is your any-time  anywhere companion and memory….

Morongwa Mokwena (English archivist): I think radio is a powerful tool for social change as it provides access to information . . .addresses issues for social change like gender inequality, HIV etc. and in this way it empowers society.

Joseph Lobeko (Archivist: Sound Restoration): Old preserved records of historical nature are re-purposed by being broadcasted on radio; e.g. the Mandela treason-trial speech is still relevant today in nation-building.  

Peter Raseroka (Ikwekwezi archivist): Radio is important because it updates you each hour on  news and programmes that are educational, religious, youth orientated and sports, to name a few. Radio people also watch television, but sometimes turn down the audio to listen to radio simultaneously, especially with sports.  Blind people are enjoying radio because they are able to visualize more. Radio gives you more information on what's happening! 

Elizabeth Mate (Channel Africa archivist): Radio is very important in the rural areas, especially where people don’t have television. It helps tremendously with death announcements!

Ntokozo Khanyile (News & Actuality archivist): Radio tells various stories and brings news to the listeners as soon as they are available. Radio Archives bridges the history gap and makes all news accessible to all generations.

Nare Monyai (News, actuality & sport request archivist): Radio broadcasting is the modern instrument for informing, educating and entertaining listeners, even in remote areas of the country. 

Karen du Toit (Afrikaans archivist): Radio records the heritage of the cultures in South Africa. The radio archives are vital to store this memory for future generations.

Links to follow today's proceedings on World Radio Day:

World Radio Day

UNESCO celebrating World Radio Day


Related posts:

Springbok Radio - a radio station lives on because of dedicated listeners

World Radio Day 2013 - Press Release


Blog post by Karen du Toit.

In Memoriam: Bea Reed, Golden Girl of Springbok Radio

V 2013-01-29

Bea Reed, fondly referred to as the “Golden Girl of Springbok Radio” sadly passed away on 29 January 2013. 

Bea, who started her broadcasting career in 1955 for the then English Service, joined Springbok Radio in 1958, when she took over the program “Cascade of Stars” in the absence of Valerie Meyer.  Her enthusiasm about jazz music mirrored in her program “Bea with me”, which soon became a very popular programme on Springbok Radio.

In July 1960 Bea became the first woman to be appointed as a full time Springbok announcer.  In the SABC Bulletin of 18 July 1960, Bea recalled: “I was chatting to Steve de Villiers one day, when I casually – and jokingly – said “Hoe lyk dit met ‘n vroumens op Springbok?”  Steve laughed and said they’d never really thought of it seriously, but considered it a good idea.  That was that for the time being and I forgot all about it.  Not long after, he called me to his office and asked me if I’d like to be the first ‘vroumens’ on Springbok.  I am absolutely delighted.”

Bea was a steel buyer before she ventured into broadcasting, and her first broadcast was during the SA Cricket team’s visit to the UK, when she made an announcement at the conclusion of an over.  Being more than a broadcaster, she compéred events, e.g. the “Tots and Teens” fashion parade in 1963, of which the proceeds went to the Cripples’ Care Association.  She was also part of a panel of judges who chose the first “Printers’ Princess” during the first ever “Printers’ Safety Week” in 1964, and she was a judge for “Springbok Radio’s Toy for Joy” competition in 1967.

But above all Bea was very focussed on her family.  Swiss radio engineer, Jean-Claude stole Bea’s heart, and they married in 1960.  Her own parents lived in New Zealand, so Peter Lamsley, Springbok Radio Production Manager gave her away.  They had two sons, Phillipe and Jean Pierre.  An article in the SABC Bulletin in 1964 depicted her as always putting her husband and children first in all things, and that she arranged her life around them.  From her own mouth in the same article, came some wisdom which we can all remember:  “If you want to work and have a family, you have to be careful or else you’ll end up neglecting one or the other.”  For this reason she resigned as full-time announcer before the birth Jean Pierre.  And other than radio and family, Bea loved cooking and embroidery. 

Besides her popular “Family Favourites’, Bea was also involved in “Match the Colour with Rockgrip”, and “The Phillips Key Game”, amongst others. 

As Lynn stated in an SABC Bulletin in 1970, “Bea (was) one of those divine people who really enthuses!  Life, to her, (was) one big bowl of cherries – and she manage(d) to infect everyone around her with that same feeling.” 

From Springbok Radio Revisited’s side, a standing ovation to Bea Reed, who will keep on shining in the memories of all who loved her.

-       RethaBuys, Senior Archivist: Springbok Radio Revisited, SABC Radio Archives

Between Stations....

Between stations, radio stations, that is, there has always been a lot of development and movement here at the SABC.  Broadcasting never has been and never will be a static affair.  If you hear static, well, turn the dial, the radio-friend is there somewhere!  

Recently I had to research the Radio Stations of the SABC, and thought to share a bit of what I learnt, for interest sake.  Please feel free to share YOUR memories of SABC Radio, we would love to hear!

Radio Stations of the SABC:

·         A Programme / English Service (1936/08/01-1985/12/31)

o   Radio South Africa (1986/01/01 – 1995/02/28)

o   SAFM (1995/03/01)

·         B Programme / Afrikaanse Diens (1937/10/27 – 1985/12/31)

o   Radio Suid-Afrika (1986/01/01 – 1991/09/30)

o   Afrikaans Stereo )1991/10/01 – 1996/09/30)

o   Radio Sonder Grense / RSG (1996/10/01)

·         Radio Lourenco Marques / LM Radio (1935 / 1972/06/01 by SABC – 1975/10/12)

o   Radio 5 (1975/10/13 – 1992)

o   5 FM (1992)

·         The Voice of South Africa (1951/12)

o   Radio RSA (1966/05/01)

o   Channel Africa (1992/10) – funded by the State

·         Springbok Radio (1950/05/31 – 1985/12/31)

·         Radio Bantu (1960/01/01)

o   Radio Sesotho (1962/01/01)

§  Lesedi FM (1996)

o   Radio Zulu (1962/01/01)

§  Ukhozi FM (1996)

o   Radio Setswana (1962/06/01)

§  Motsweding FM (1996)

o   Radio Lebowa (1962/06/01)

§  Thobela FM (1996)

o   Schools  Radio Service (1964)

o   Radio Tsonga (1/21965)

§  Munghana Lonene FM (1996)

o   Radio Venda (1965)

§  Phala Phala FM (1996)

o   Radio Xhosa (1966)

§  Umhlobo Wenene FM (1996)

o   Radio Swazi (1982)

§  Ligwalagwala FM (1996)

o   Radio Ndebele (16/3/1983)

§  Ikwekwezi FM (1996)

·         Radio Good Hope / Radio Goeie Hoop (1965/07/01 – 1992)

o   Good Hope FM (1992)

o   Also Good Hope Stereo / Goeie Hoop Stereo

·         Radio Ovambo (1969/11 – 1979/05) – in SWA till SWABC/SWAUK came into being

·         Radio Herero (1969/11 – 1979/05) – in SWA till SWABC/SWAUK came into being 

·         Radio Damara Nama (1969/11 – 1979/05) – in SWA till SWABC/SWAUK came into being 

·         Radio Kavango (1972/02-1979/05) – in SWA till SWABC/SWAUK came into being 

·         Radio Lotus (1983/01/08)

o   LotusFM (??)

·         Radio Metro (1986/09/01 - 1998)

o   Metro FM (1998)

·         Radio 2000 (1987/01/01)

·         X-K FM (2000/08)

·         CKI FM (2002/09 by SABC, prior Ciskei station)

o   TruFM (2008)

·         Radio Allegro (1985/06/01 – 1993)

·         Radio Orion (1982/05/01-1990/12/31)

Separate channels funded by the state and managed on behalf of the state by the SABC:

·         Radio Bob

·         Radio Sunshine / Radio Sonskyn

Stations sold by the SABC in 1996:

·         Radio Highveld/Radio Hoëveld (1964/09/01- 1988/04/01) 

o   Highveld Stereo / Hoëveld Stereo (1988/04/01)  (current – NOT SABC) – sold in 1996

o   Radio Jacaranda / Jakaranda (1985/07/01 -1994/05/31)

o   Jacaranda/Jakaranda 94-97 FM (1994/06/01-??) 

§  Jacaranda/Jakaranda Stereo (??) – Sold in 1996

§  Jacaranda / Jakaranda FM (current – NOT SABC)

·         Radio Port Natal 

o   RPN Stereo

o   East Coast Radio (Current – NOT SABC) – Sold in 1996

·         Radio Oranje (1985/06/01 – 1996) – Sold in 1996

o   OFM (current – NOT SABC)

·         Radio Algoa (1986/01/01 – 1996) – Sold in 1996

o   Algoa FM (current – NOT SABC)

·         Radio Kontrei (1990-1991) 

o   Kfm (1991) (Current – NOT SABC) – sold in 1996

The daily challenges of a sound archivist

Each job has its own intrinsic frustrations that comes as a given. The sound archivist in a broadcasting environment also has a fare share of daily frustrations. I will call it daily challenges.

Daily challenges of a sound archivist

• Having to unlock a sound carrier without any information. There is no extra data on the cover, or inside. There is no information on the sound carrier itself. 

The cover of a reel-to-reel-tape (no indication of what is inside)

Inside: a reel-to-reel tape with a cryptic note: "Patrick Mynhardt reads  Herman Charles Bosman" Tape 1
But the sound differs from the note...

• The sound carriers are degrading, and some we can't recover. The mini-disc carriers are some of the fastest degrading carriers, and we are unable to digitize it as it degrades.

mini-disc carrier

• The sound recording and sound playback devices are going obsolete, and we are unable to get it serviced properly as well as get parts for broken items.

Reel-to-reel-tape Studer tape recorder

CD, MD and tape cassette machines stacked on top of each other

• The journalists, programme producers and programme managers do not alert us to new programmes or special broadcasts or a change in the daily schedule. (Although we have asked to be kept in the loop.)
• The journalists, programme producers and programme managers do not attach meta data or information about a programme on the sound being made available or on broadcast.
• The public and journalists / producers expect us to be on top of a 24/7 broadcast feed, and to have it catalogued as well! It is impossible!
• The digital world brings it own challenges. It is wonderful to have the audio available on the computer, but it does not help at all when the meta data was not added correctly. It is sometimes even more trickier to find out the origins of a piece of audio when it is only marked with temporary titles.

Dalet 5.1 Digital Audio System

• Going to the shelve, and finding it empty. It has been removed for request purposes (hopefully) or else it means that it is lost. 
• The request archivists deal with journalists who runs in at the last moment, and expect to find a sound clip to use asap. 

It is only some of the challenges that we face on a daily basis in the SABC Radio Archives. 

Can you add to this list?

Post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

The Weekly Archivist interview: News and Actuality Archivist

Markus Mmutlana
SABC Radio Archivist: News and Actuality

The SABC Radio Archives has seven Archivists who specialize in specific areas/languages of expertise with regards the audio collections being kept in the Archives. There are also Archivists who focus on requests, and we have a Sound Engineer that assists us with technical issues. There will be a weekly interview that I will try to pose the same questions to each of the Archivists.
The SABC Radio Archives forms part of the SABC Media Libraries at the SABC.

The Archivist answering the questions this week is Markus Moroke Mmutlana.
He has been with the SABC Radio Archives for 12 years, and before that he was working in the regions. Seven years of his service in the Sound Archives was spent in the Northwest region in Mafikeng.

Markus continues with his story:
In the Northwest Region I had to resuscitate the Motsweding Fm Sound Archives that had been dismantled when the Pretoria Broadcast centre closed down. I fortunately was one of the main clients of the Radio Archives there and knew what was expected of me to do. Therefore unpacking all the programs that were sent over there and arranging them in their former order was not much of a problem as I had been a regular client of the Radio Archives while in Pretoria. Yes, I needed help sometimes and Peter Raseroka had to come from Johannesburg Archives to give me that.
I believe it is also important to share this with you, that I came into the Radio Archives having a broad knowledge of how programs were made since I had been with Radio Operations for years. There I‘ve been a technical man for Sport broadcast; Current Affairs; Outside Broadcast and inside Studio Programs Recordings; Open Air Musical productions such as Setswana traditional music done in Botswana; and ended up as a specialist Drama Technical producer. I gathered much knowledge of equipments used in those fields. May be let me also add that there are some dramas I wrote that I have had to archive. You’ll realize that these must have taken place over some years, but to me it seems like yesterday.

Markus, please give us a little bit of biographical information. (Where you grew up, where and what you studied and your work experience before you joined the SABC Radio Archives)
I was born in Lady Selborne in Pretoria, raised up in Skilpadfontein, Marapyane near Settlers. I an ex Mamelodian (Mamelodi High School Student) and also a Bexo (Bethel Training College ex-student).  I studied as a teacher and never taught, but matriculated through private studies.  Before joining the SABC, please don’t ask me when, I worked as a dispatch clerk for a company that was known as Pretoria Wholesale Druggist. Where that company was is now the Two Way Skinner Street.

Please tell us about a normal day in your studio. What material do you give priority to?
As I am a news and actuality Archivist for RSG and SAFM I must always know what is brewing in the government and various political fields and parties to be abreast with some fresh stories that one can quickly digitize on CD and also catalogue and avoid pushing too much material into backlog. Other than that my priority now is to deal with the 1996 Truth and Reconciliation Reports on Radio Sonder Grense, the Afrikaans SABC Radio Station.  This is part of the backlog we have – I have now completed cataloguing the SAFM 1996 TRC reports.

Tell us more about your collection and the scope of material you need to preserve.
My backlog includes news and actuality programs dating as far back as 1994 to date. These sometimes include tributes and other informative programs or features annual lectures of some of our country’s heroes.
  
Do you struggle with technical difficulties, and if so, what?

I have long been in this technical field of audio productions and if there be some difficulties that I pick up is the ever changing technology that forces one to consult with those who have the expertise every time. For example the problem I picked up with batch conversions of sound on Dalet using a memory stick, then to Wavelab. This would give me a problem when I burning a CD by refusing to burn indicating that the sound have not been converted to the correct Hertz. And the other challenge was to use Powerpoint which I do not regularly use.

If you have an anecdote about a specific piece of interesting audio material, please share it with us.
My most interesting story was when I picked up a news item, as I was going through some Current Affairs tapes, where former president Nelson Mandela told the news reporter how he was arrested by the police man, Forster on his way from Durban to Johannesburg. On being asked what his name was, he said he was David Motsamai. He tells the story with such humor.

Tell us why you enjoy doing the work that you do.
I am convinced that I am busy with preservation of important information about our selves and our country which would be needed by our children’s children and interested groups for research in the future.                          

Questions and blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives

Interview with the Information Librarian at the SABC Information Library

Abel Thulare
SABC Information Librarian

The SABC Media Libraries consists of five sections, the SABC Information Library, the SABC Radio Archives, the SABC Record Library, the SABC Music Library and Audio Restoration. This is part of a series of posts of interviews to gain a better understanding of the work that we do. We work in silos and are not always aware what our colleagues are doing on a daily basis.

The interview is with Abel Thulare, an Information Librarian who works in the Newspaper Cutting Section of the SABC Information Library. He works very close with SABC Television and Radio journalists and producers in ensuring that they get the most up-to-date information about any requested topic that they are working on.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. (Where you grew up, where and what you studied and your work experience before you joined the SABC Information Library)

Born in a small town called Sabie, in Mpumalanga Province. I moved to Tembisa at the age of two.  After completing my matric I studied B.Bibl. at the university of Pretoria which I completed (Former Rand Afrikaans University) now known as University of Johannesburg. I conducted my in-service training at the Kempton Park Public Library in 1998. In 2000 I worked as a Professional Library Assistant at St John’s College Library. I then went on to further my studies at Havatech-Pretoria where I studied IT (Programming) which I found very exciting & challenging. In 2002 I worked as a Junior Librarian at Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA). In 2004 I moved to the Council on Higher Education where I managed the Resource Centre. Between 2007 & 2008 I worked for two different companies Spar North Rand (Dry Goods Receiver/Checker) and ABI Midrand (Supervisor). I then moved to the SABC in June 2008 and to tell the truth I’m here to stay!

Well-well-well! I’m a good cook, baker and mechanic.

Please tell us about a normal day in your office. What material do you give priority to?

Scanning SABC Radio Bulletins dating back as far as the mid 1950’s.

Electronic cutting and pasting of current newspapers for preservation.

Providing efficient information to internal & external stakeholders as fast as lightning.

I sometimes man the book & magazine section if my colleagues are not around.

I try by all means to keep a balance of my chores.

Tell us more about your collection and the scope of material you need to preserve.

The Newspaper Cutting Section in the SABC Information Library has a collection of 3 200 000 newspaper articles. The following newspapers are ordered for this section: Beeld, Sowetan, Business Day, Star, Citizen, Mail and Guardian, Rapport, Sunday Times, Sunday Independent, Sunday World and the City Press. Every day articles are scanned in on the Newbase System and then electronically cut, pasted and indexed.

We select the articles which are newsworthy, broadcast related or important to keep for our heritage.

Do you struggle with technical difficulties, and if so, what?

Of course yes! First of all it’s our email. I always use more of it to send information requests to internal & external stake holders.

If you have an anecdote about a specific piece of interesting information, please share it with us.

“We will make sure the men in blue end up in orange if they commit crime” Gen Bheki Cele. That’s a good one for me.

Tell us why you enjoy doing the work that you do.

It keeps me busy and up to date with what is happening around us.



Questions and blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives