Salga claims its space in media

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) will pilot its first news agency next week on behalf of local governments in the country. Salga said the initiative, Local Government News Agency, will be piloted at the upcoming 2016 Salga National Conference taking place from 28 November to 1 December.

The agency is a 22-member newsroom operated by nine Salga provincial and national communicators, nine media trainees and editor Meli Ncube, who will oversee the flow of content.

“The team will be divided into various categories and beats. Some will act as reporters and photographers, while others will focus on multimedia and social media, which is becoming a highly contested space.

“The output of the news agency will be conference bulletins, online news, social media content, media releases and knowledge products,” said the association.

Salga’s Head of Communication, Tahir Sema, said the agency will produce informative and newsworthy stories to enhance the general profile of Salga and local government.

“Most importantly, it will serve to inform and educate the public and members about the good story of local government. This will give rise to an alternative narrative, one that is beneficial to local government projects,” Sema said.

The main aim of the news agency is to tell the good stories of local government and to profile some of their innovations.

Salga’s Marketing and Communication Officer in the Northern Cape, Thotoane Shale, says the news agency should heighten ongoing efforts to profile local government. – SAnews.gov.za