Question no: 747
Date of reply:
Ms J D Killian (COPE) asked the Minister of Communications:
(1) Whether the cost of producing and broadcasting the news contributions by the SA Broadcasting Corporation's international news bureaus has been calculated; if not, why not; if so, what was the cost of (a) television and (b) radio airtime;
(2) (a) which of the international news bureaus have been closed down and (b) why was each closed down;
(3) which of the news bureaus will (a) remain functional for strategic reasons and (b) be phased out in the course of this year;
(4) (a) what was the total cost to company of the international news bureaus during the 2008/09 financial year, (b) what is the anticipated expenditure on bureaus that will be phased out during the current financial year and (c) how will the SABC ensure a constant flow of news from the countries where the news bureaus have been or will be closed down?
Reply:
I have been advised by the SABC as follows:
(1) Yes, the total cost of producing and broadcasting the news contributions by the SA Broadcasting Corporation's international news bureaus for the previous financial year was R49 million. The bureaus are a bi-media operation and the costs of radio, television and new media are calculated as a whole.
(2) a) The bureaus in Kingston, Jamaica; Washington DC, USA, and Kinshasa, DRC have been closed down.
b) The bureaus were closed to contain the operational costs of the News Division.
(3) (a and b) The remaining bureaus are undergoing a thorough review and further closures maybe announced.
(4) a. The total cost to company of the international news bureaus during the 2008-09 financial year was R49 million.
b. A decision still needs to be taken about a possible phase out of the some of the remaining bureaus.
c. The SABC will enter strategic partnerships with other news organisations and utilise existing agency contracts in order to ensure a constant flow of news from the countries where the news bureaus have been closed down.
Issued by: Department of Communications
8 September 2009
