SAMIP – South Africa Media Innovation Program

The South Africa Media Innovation Program (SAMIP) is a media initiative that seeks to accelerate digital media innovation among independent media outlets in South Africa.

The program provides funding and capacity building to organisations selected to participate.

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Overview

Why SAMIP?

SAMIP is about innovation. Innovation in how media is used to find and tell stories, and innovation in developing new and sustainable business models.

This is a time of transition for many media companies and successful organisations need to diversify revenue streams and build products that resonate with their audiences.

Our program will provide the funding and mentorship needed for the independent media sector to deploy new solutions and reach new audiences.

The program is being run by MDIF, with funding support from Open Society Foundation of South Africa and Luminate.

Who can apply for entry into SAMIP?

You could be an existing independent media company, a non-profit organisation, or a new venture that is just kicking off.

We are looking for mission-driven companies and organizations passionate about trying new approaches to local news and information.

We also encourage applicants who don’t have traditional journalism and media backgrounds, particularly from the areas of technology, design and business.

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How will SAMIP participants be selected?

We are seeking applications from organisations that are building innovative news and information products that either:

explore opportunities to reach and connect with broader audiences through digital platforms and technologies;
developing new revenue generation opportunities or sustainable business models.

The Advisory Committee will recommend candidates to the MDIF board who will make the final decision. The proposed candidates will need to meet the following criteria.

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Things are heating up in South Africa as the country enters its first week of a national lockdown during which the government announced the first five deaths as a result of the Coronavirus. The memes have slowed down to a trickle as people begin to grasp the full extent of the damage to the country’s […]

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Focus Areas

Digital Native Products

New approaches to collecting news and information, and to reporting, storytelling and distribution that embrace the possibilities of technology.

Reaching rural communities

Innovative approaches to reach and empower people outside of major urban areas, and those generally underserved by existing news media.

Engaging people in official languages that are underserved

Attempts to engage and distribute content to communities in vernacular languages that are underserved.

Technology innovation for distribution

New media technology for local news that can find ways to distribute all forms of media in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

New Revenue opportunities

Innovative solutions to revenue challenges that media companies face – how can we open up new revenue streams to make media organisations more sustainable and independent.

Transition to digital

Finding and implementing solutions, products or processes that assist legacy media to transform their businesses.

Advisory Committee

Mandla Langa

Mandla Langa is one of South Africa’s internationally acknowledged contemporary writers, cultural organisers and a veteran of the national liberation struggle. Mandla is a poet, short-story writer, novelist, and cultural activist.

Dinesh Balliah

Dinesh is a media consultant/trainer who is currently a PhD candidate at Wits University in Journalism and Media Studies, researching newsroom convergence and the impact on journalism practice in South Africa.

Mohamed Nanabhay

Mohamed Nanabhay is the Deputy CEO of the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), which invests in independent media around the world providing the news, information and debate that people need to build free, thriving societies.

Ory Okolloh

Ory currently serves as Director of Investments at Luminate. She brings a unique blend of experience in the fields of technology, transparency, public policy and governance. Based in Nairobi Ory is also tasked helping the drive the growth of Luminate’s overall investment portfolio in Africa.

Pontsho Pilane

Pontsho Pilane is the senior writer at Health-e News, and was formerly a health journalist at Bhekisisa, the Mail and Guardian’s centre for health journalism. She debuted as a journalist at The Daily Vox, where she wrote primarily about gender, race and how they intersect.

Vincent Maher

Vincent Maher, a well-known pioneer and strategist in the South Africa digital media industry, currently serves as the Head of Digital Enablement at Multichoice. Prior to joining Multichoice, Maher was the Chief Innovation Officer at Kagiso Media.