ICASA publishes the 2014 National and Provincial Elections Regulations
With the date for the national and provincial government elections having been announced by the President recently, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is gearing itself up to ensure fair and equitable treatment of contesting political parties by broadcasting service licensees.
In that case, the Authority informs all stakeholders and the media about the publication of the final Regulations on Party Election Broadcasts, Political Advertisements, the Equitable Treatment of Political parties by Broadcasting Licensees. The regulations were published on 17 February 2014.
The regulations’ aim is to prescribe a framework and guidelines under which Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs) and Political Adverts (PAs) shall be conducted and carried by broadcasting service licensees during the 2014 national and provincial government elections.
The Authority would like to inform relevant stakeholders of how the process is going to unfold:
- The Authority will receive the final list of contesting political parties from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in due course
- Upon receipt of the list, the Authority will invite contesting political party representatives to a briefing session to allocate the PEB slots in accordance with the Formula as outlined in the Regulations on Party Election Broadcasts, Political Parties by Broadcasting Licensees
- The public broadcaster and other broadcasting service Licensees who have indicated interest in transmitting PEBs will also be invited
- The Council of ICASA will proclaim the Election Broadcast Period.
- The Authority will therefore publish the PEB schedule in the government gazette within two days of the allocation of slots.
The Authority will ensure that extensive monitoring of election coverage in terms of the regulations and licence conditions of broadcasters is undertaken in that regard.
All media enquiries should be directed to:
Paseka Maleka
Tel: 011 566 3455
Cell: 079 509 0702
E-mail: pmaleka@icasa.org.za
