Comment on South African Broadcasting Corporation Bill extended

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Announcement

Topics Government, Politics & Policy | Media, Communications & Entertainment Law

08 Jan 2024

The comment period on the South African Broadcasting Corporation Soc Ltd Bill has been extended.

The bill was tabled in parliament in October 2023.

The communications and digital technologies department published the bill’s explanatory summary in Government Gazette 49391 at the beginning of October 2023.

The proposed legislation was published for comment in Gazette 44865 in July 2021.

Cabinet approved the bill for public consultation at the end of June 2021.

In a statement, cabinet pointed out that the bill aims to strengthen the efficiency of the operations of the public broadcaster.

The bill also proposes the streamlining of the SABC Board that will strengthen its responsibilities and accountability.

It also proposes reforms in the SABC’s funding model and the TV licensing system.

The bill aims to:

repeal the Broadcasting Act, 1999;
regulate the continued existence of the South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd;
provide for its governance;
amend the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, 2000, and the Electronic Communications Act, 2005; and
provide for matters connected therewith.

According to the explanatory summary, the bill seeks to regulate the continued existence of the South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd in order to provide public media services in South Africa in the public interest.

The portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies now invites comments on the bill until 16 January 2024.

Comments can be emailed to [email protected].

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