MEDIA GUIDELINES FOR THE XV BRICS SUMMIT

South Africa, as Chair of BRICS, is hosting the XV BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August 2023 under the theme: BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism.

OFFICIAL MEDIA

As per tradition within BRICS and other international fora, a distinction is made between Official Media and Private Media. Official Media are government officials travelling on diplomatic or official passports. They provide photography, video, social media and media liaison support to their delegations.

Official Media have different accreditation from that of the rest of the media, allowing them access to cover bilateral meetings and other official engagements where the rest of the media are not invited.

Only three official media per country will be given accreditation for the XV BRICS Summit: one photographer, one video camera operator and a media liaison officer. Official Media bringing in equipment to the summit must have submitted a list of all equipment with serial numbers, brand of equipment and type on a note verbal via their respective embassies.

South African Official Media comprises a team from DIRCO and GCIS and will share their material with the rest of the media.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

The deadline for media accreditation was 11 August 2023. The deadline will not be extended.

Media accreditation cards can be collected from the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Sandton from 19 August 2023. You are expected to present your ID/passport and press card or letter of assignment from your editor.

You cannot collect the accreditation card on behalf of someone else.

It is an offense to alter the card in any manner or pass it on to a third party.

Enquires relating to accreditation must be directed to:

• • Patience Mtshali, MtshaliP@dirco.gov.za, +27 83 376 9468
  • Mmemme Mogotsi, Mmemme@gcis.gov.za, +27 72 856 4288
  • Kgopotso Rapakuana, RapakuanaK@dirco.gov.za, +27 73 058 3876

FACILITIES AND MOVEMENTS

Media facilities are accessible only for accredited media representatives and press officers.

The BRICS Media Centre has facilities for print, online and electronic media, and is situated at Level -2 of the Sandton Convention Centre.

A general work area is provided at the Media Centre. The work area is equipped with work desks, where laptops and printers can be plugged in.

Limited, enclosed 4×4 and 3×3 TV and radio are available on request.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided.

All media must enter the Sandton Convention Centre on foot through Alice Lane, making use of the rear entrance to access the BRICS Media Centre on Level -2.

Those using vehicles into Sandton must park at the Sandton Square or make alternative parking arrangements.

There will be lane closures around the venue (Maude Street and Alice Lane).

No media accreditation card, no entrance to the venue.

Lost cards must be reported to the South African Police Service. It is a serious offense to exchange cards among colleagues.

Journalists are advised to make sure they arrive at the venue in good time so as to clear all security procedures before the meetings start and to register to be part of the pool.

A media programme will be made available on the BRICS website and through e-mail.

There will be a host broadcaster for the Summit.

The Host Broadcaster is providing clean SD and HD video as well as audio feed to the other broadcasters.

The feed is also available on big screens in the media centre.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is responsible for ensuring efficient use of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, providing access to broadcasting signal distribution for broadcasting and encouraging the development of multi-channel distribution systems in the broadcasting framework.

All broadcasters must be licensed.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Members of the media from those countries exempted from visa requirements to South Africa need not apply for visas.

All other applicants must comply with the South African visa requirements.

Journalists should contact the nearest South African Diplomatic or Consular Mission to request a South African visa.

Yellow fever certificates will be required at the ports of entry for journalists travelling from yellow fever-designated countries.

Official media traveling on diplomatic passports do not require a visa to enter South Africa.

INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

ICASA is governed by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, 2000 (Act 13 of 2000) and the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act 36 of 2005) (“the ECA”). The primary object of the ECA is to provide for the regulation of electronic communications in the public interest and for that purpose, among others to:

• ensure efficient use of the RF spectrum
• provide access to broadcasting signal distribution for broadcasting and encourage the development of multi-channel distribution systems in the broadcasting framework
• promote stability in the ICT sector.

In terms of section 31(1) of the ECA, “no person may transmit any signal by radio or use radio apparatus to receive any signal by radio except under and in accordance with a radio frequency spectrum licence granted by the Authority to such person in terms of the ECA”.

In terms of section 32(1) of the ECA, “no person may possess any radio apparatus unless he or she is in possession of a radio frequency spectrum licence or is exempted in terms of section 31(6) of the ECA”.

Frequencies are assigned as per the South African Table of Frequency Allocations using the Frequency Assignment Radio Licensing Guidelines. The process takes approximately four weeks before a spectrum licence is granted and issued.

TELEVISION AND RADIO

Facilities for satellite feeds can be booked in advance by contacting:

Ms Kgopotso Rapakuana at RapakuanaK@dirco.gov.za, +27 73 058 3876 and Mr Khutso Matlala at MatlalaK@sabc.co.za

Accommodation:

Accommodation will be on a self-arrangement basis. Journalists are advised to make their bookings early to avoid last-minute inconvenience. A list of Pretoria and Johannesburg hotels is available on the BRICS website (https://brics2023.gov.za/).

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Nelson Kgwete (Mr), DIRCO

+27 76 431 3078

KgweteN@dirco.gov.za

Mmemme Mogotsi, GCIS

+27 84 547 5970

Mmemme@gcis.gov.za

Patience Mtshali (Ms), DIRCO

+27 83 376 9468

MtshaliP@dirco.gov.za

Khutso Matlala (Mr), SABC

+27 83 742 4135

MatlalaK@sabc.co.za