In my media briefing of 11 November I indicated that my department would be conducting public hearings within the week to get stakeholder input on the Draft Public Service Broadcasting Bill. I am pleased to report that these hearings were successfully held and many submissions were received from communication sector stakeholders.
The department has briefed me on these submissions, and I have found many of the inputs to be constructive and valuable.
I have also had further opportunity to consider the most appropriate process to be followed by my department in terms of drafting and finalising the Public Service Broadcasting Bill. Two considerations are paramount. First, for the developmental and democratic goals of the Republic to be best served it is imperative that our broadcasting policy is at the cutting-edge of our digital age. Second, broadcasting policy, to realise its full potential for the country, requires wholehearted and energetic mobilisation of State, industry and societal role players.
I am convinced that much more can yet be gained by engaging in further work before a Bill is presented to Cabinet. I have thus decided to withdraw the current Draft Public Service Broadcasting Bill.
A process will be instituted to ensure that further work, including the following tasks, is completed:
- A review of the White Paper on Broadcasting, 1998 including an environmental scan of the broadcasting legislation and regulations in place to ensure policy and legislative alignment and consistency
- A review of research done of funding options for the SABC and community media
- An economic modeling exercise is undertaken in the sector to begin to look at SABC and community media costs and projected costs of digital migration in the sector.
These tasks shall be completed as speedily as possible and in a manner that enhances the technical rigour, credibility and sustainability of South Africa’s broadcasting policy.
