For a third year in a row - last year in 2010 marked the second time - the SABC will again not be having any kind of end-of-the-year press party or press event for the TV writers, journalists and TV critics covering television in South Africa - a long-time tradition the SABC used to have and which will again not be organized or taking place at the end of 2011.
For years the SABC would invite South Africa's TV writers, notable TV critics and journalists covering television in the country to a specially organized end-of-year press event (sometimes stretching over more than one day or afternoon).
The used to be annual event (I attended many of them over the course of the past decade as did some of the biggest current editors of consumer glossies, newspaper journalists and critics) - usually some place in South Africa (one year even on a cruise ship and a ''voyage to nowhere'' was a chance for the SABC to talk to all the press face to face, to discuss all of the TV channels - SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3.
It afforded the SABC overall and all 3 TV channels together, the chance to hear directly from the press what worked, what not, solidify relationships, hear what could be done better, was wasn't done well, and to generally get a sense and suss out - for both sides, the SABC as well as the press corps covering the broadcaster - who is still doing exactly what, who has what needs, and in a form celebrate together a year within the local television industry.
Whether due to financial constraint, lack of initiative or direction or responsibility (the channels used to take turns from year to year to organize it on behalf of the SABC and all 3 channels overall), changed economics, a different focus or something else or all of the above, the annual press event is just not happening anymore.
A once-great tradition of the SABC is receding - perhaps in danger of being forgotten. As a TV critic, as a TV writer, as a journalist who cover television in this country in all its myriad fascets, it wasn't a must-do (although I always went). But it was nice. It was good to touch base; it was good to get together as journalists, together with the people and publicists at broadcasters I know I probably often make crazy. Maybe one day the SABC will do it again.
