The Public Service Broadcasting Bill has been released by the Department of Communications. The Bill proposes much-needed and widespread fundamental changes to our public broadcasting environment and everyone will be affected.
From funding the SABC and community radio to the creation of a public service fund and a charter for the SABC, it is all there!
If you have an interest in media, if you hate or love licence fees, if you have better ideas for funding, if you watch television or listen to the radio, if you care about community broadcasting, if you create local content, if you want a broadcaster that tells your stories and meets your needs, then you need to get involved as this piece of legislation will have a significant effect on all these issues!
Our client, Media Monitoring Africa, which has promoted democracy and human rights through the media since 1993, is currently running a campaign to extend the deadline for public comment on the Bill.
The Bill proposes a number of fundamental changes to the public service broadcasting and community media environment. Based on this, MMA and the SOS Supporting Public Broadcasting Coalition argue that it would be in the interests of all affected to take the time necessary to debate, discuss, research and address the various proposals included in the Bill.