The objective of the Agency is to promote development and diversity in the South African media throughout the country, consistent with the right to freedom of expression as entrenched in section 16(1) of the Constitution, in particular-
| a) | freedom of the press and other media; and |
| b) | freedom to receive and impart information or ideas, |
and for that purpose to-
| i) | encourage ownership and control of, and access to, media by historically disadvantaged communities as well as by historically diminished indigenous language and cultural groups: |
| ii) | encourage the development of human resources and training, and capacity building, within the media industry, especially amongst historically disadvantaged groups; |
| v) | support initiatives which promote literacy and a culture of reading; |
| vi) | encourage research regarding media development and diversity; and |
| vii) | liaise with other statutory bodies such as the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa and the Universal Service Agency. |
