Two years in the planning, the Africa New Network 7 (ANN7) 24-hour news channel was
officially launched at an Infinity Media stakeholders’ dinner held on 21 August at
Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre.
The channel went live on channel 405 of MultiChoice’s DStv satellite pay-TV platform at
19h00 that day. This was the second South African 24-hour news channel to launch in
August 2013 – SABC News went on air at the beginning of the month.
ANN7 owner Infinity Media is a joint venture between India’s Essel Media, the Gupta
family’s Oakbay Investments and a broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE)
structure. The Gupta family allegedly has close links to President Jacob Zuma.
Since going live ANN7 has been dogged by derisive feedback in the media, Facebook and
Twitter addressing the numerous bloopers made by the channel’s presenters.
A comment made at the launch by ANN7 editor-in-chief Moegsien Williams might have
hinted at this problem in advance. “The talent pool in news broadcasting in South Africa
is quite shallow. I believe there is a need for a broadcasting school in South Africa,’ he
said.
Willimas went on to say that media multiplicity was the basis of democracy. “After
months of deliberation we’re ready to bring you stories as they happen and with in-
depth coverage. Our approach is to practice critical journalism without fear or favour.
ANN7’s focus is on breaking news and concise analysis. We plan to reveal corruption in
the country and we also want to show positive elements about South Africa.
“The biggest contribution we will hopefully make is to balance the news. Our viewers will
be entertained, informed and enlightened.’
Williams claimed that ANN7 is “the most modern news station in Africa’.
Minister of Communications Yunus Carrim was invited on stage to officially switch on the
channel, after an ANN7 promo featuring its numerous foreign correspondents from
around the world, was screened.
Said the minister: “The visuals we’ve seen tonight are amazing. I wonder if SABC
management is watching this launch tonight. I know what news channel I will be
watching!
“We’ve had two new 24-hour news channels go on air in one month. South Africa has
come a long way since 1994 and by the end of March 2014, the Department of
Communications (DoC) will have finalised a new broadcasting policy. We want your input
in helping us to shape this policy.
“DoC is considering issuing a directive to the Independent Communications Authority of
South Africa (ICASA) to open up competition in the pay-TV sector. Currently the
premium content is locked up with one broadcaster (MultiChoice).’
Minister Carrim commented that the launch of ANN7 would hopefully lead to more
competition in the broadcasting sector.
He continued.”Now, more South African stories will be told than ever before, and across
the length and breadth of the country. I’m interested in seeing ANN7’s “pro South
Africa’ editorial policy. You aim to raise the consciousness of Africa and you want to be
critical. Decent media needs to find the correct balance, as to be uncritical is as bad as
being overly critical.
“I see that many of your anchors are women. In Women’s Month it’s important to
recognise the role that women played in the struggle for democracy.’
The minister concluded by saying that ANN7 shared similarities with the SABC and that
the two broadcasters should co-operate.
At the launch frequent references were made by Williams and the evening’s MC, ANN7
anchor Gerry Rantseli-Elsdon, to the “never before seen technology’ that “is new to
South Africa and Africa’ which had been installed at ANN7’s headquarters in Midrand.
Apart from brief mentions of Vizrt graphics, Autocue and “robotic cameras’, no further
technology details were released at the launch.
Just before the launch Screen Africa received an email from a broadcast industry
stakeholder who did not wish to be named, saying there was some concern in the
industry about who actually built the ANN7 facility, as it appeared that all the equipment
was imported and that the system designers and installers were foreign.
Screen Africa’s requests for an interview with ANN7 management had not been granted
at the time of going to press.
