broadcasting
broadcasting
ICASA to Rule on TopTV Porn Channels
The South Gauteng High Court has ruled that TopTV may not broadcast pornography channels without the permission of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
ICASA brought an interdict application before Judge Ndawuyake Tshabalala last week, hoping to delay the independent broadcaster's launch.
The dispute relates to ICASA’s subscription broadcasting services regulations, specifically paragraphs 3.5 and 3.6, which stipulate that ICASA must authorise or refuse applications for additional channels to be added to an existing bouquet within 60 days.
To read the article titled, “Court leaves ICASA to rule on TopTV’s porn channels,” click here.Source:Mail & GuardianSABC Criticised Over Anti-Malema Song
The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) has described the decision by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) radio presenters for playing an anti-Malema song as disappointing.
FXI executive director, Elston Seppie, points out that, “The banning of the song by the SABC amounts to the worst form of self-censorship and is a direct infringement on the right to artistic freedom”
In a press statement, Seppie states that the FXI will call on the SABC to explain the basis upon which they decided not to play the song and also provide substantive reasons for suspending the two journalists.
To read the article titled, “SABC suspension alarming: FXI,” click here.Source:The CitizenTurnaround at SABC Still Needs Help
Communications Minister, Roy Padayachie, says he is not convinced that the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) turnaround strategy will solve its problems.
Padayachie points out that, "There is never a day when I wake up in the morning that there is not an SABC problem.”
He says that his department is determined to get the organisational structure and revenue streams right, while dealing with leadership issues and governance practice.
To read the article titled, “Turnaround at SABC still needs help — minister,” click here.Source:Business DayMinister to Can Broadcasting Bill
Communications Minister, Roy Padayachie, has told civil society bodies and the Congress of South African Trade Unions that he is committed to scrapping the controversial Public Service Broadcasting Bill and initiating a review process which will start from scratch with public consultation.
Padayachie’s comments come after the Democratic Alliance’s appeal to the minister not to hold discussions on the existing bill, which never went through a white paper process or having involved any public consultation.
In the same vein, SOS: Support Public Broadcasting spokesperson, Kate Skinner, who met the Minister last week, has been quoted as saying that, "The minister has said a white paper on the broadcast review process will be produced and then new legislation will be drafted."
To read the article titled, “Minister vows to can broadcasting bill,” click here.Source:Business DaySA’s Digital TV Plan on Track
Parliament heard that most of South Africa’s population should have digital terrestrial television by March.
Presenting Sentech’s quarterly report, Parliament’s communications portfolio committee CEO Setumo Mohapi said projections showed that by March, "We will have reached 74 percent population coverage".
He said the estimated period to cover the remaining 14 percent had been affected by the need to ensure the supply chain functions worked at all levels of the government.
Broadcasters have often expressed concern over whether the December 2013 analogue switch-off deadline will be met despite assurances from Communications Minister Roy Padayachie that the country was well on track to meeting it.
To read the titled, “Revitalised Sentech ‘on track’ with digital TV plan,” click here.Source:Business DayNew Board Member for MDDA
President Jacob Zuma has appointed broadcasting industry specialist, Thato Mahapa, to the board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).
In a press statement, MDDA points out that Zuma, acting in terms of the MDDA Act, appointed Mahapa with effect from the 19 July until 31 December 2011, to complete the unexpired term of office of Dan Moyane.
According to MDDA, Mahapa has previously served with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa - where he was extensively involved in licensing and other regulatory functions - and as a senior manager with TopTV.
To read the article titled, “MDDA Board gets new appointee,” click here.Source:The CitizenSABC, DoC, ICASA Present Strategy Plans to Parliament
The Department of Communications, the South African Broadcasting Cooperation (SABC) and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) have presented strategy plans to Parliament's portfolio committee on communications to resolve outstanding issues ahead of a budget vote.
The DOC has a budget vote coming up and the portfolio committee wants to finalise their financial plans and organisational structures. But today's presentations did not go the way it had hoped. The DOC added two more branches to its structure but did not present its financial plan.
Last month, the three agencies made presentations in Parliament together with signal distributor, Sentech. However, ICASA, SABC and the department were told to go back and rework their plans.
The Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications has accused the SABC, ICASA, the Communications Department and Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications of not taking them seriously.
To read the article titled, “SABC, DoC, ICASA present strategy plans to parly,” click here.Source:SABC NewsSABC Asks Parliament for More Funds
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has asked Parliament for more money, warning that its cash flow problems and the cost of migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting will result in the corporation not being ‘financially sustainable’.
SOS Support Public Broadcasting, a coalition of CSOs, says what is needed is an economic modelling exercise that looks at the concrete costs of SABC fulfilling its public mandate and the costs of digital migration and the new multichannel environment.
The coalition’s spokesperson, Kate Skinner, argues that the new legislation must emphasise transparent accounting, such as SABC reporting on the percentages its spends on different types of programming.
To read the article titled, “SABC asks for more cash,” click here.Source:Business DayAI: Radio, Mobile Phone Promote Rights
The Amnesty International (AI) says that much needs to be done to secure human rights in Africa.
In its annual report, the organisation notes that ‘the tide is turning’ and mobile phones and FM radio have arguably done more than most other conventional methods to pursue this objective.
AI secretary-general, Salil Shetty, points out that across the world, 2010 may well be remembered as a watershed year when activists and journalists used new technology to speak truth to power. Shetty states that information is a source of power, and for those challenging the abuse of power by states and other institutions, adding that it is an exciting time.
To read the article titled, “Mobile phones, radio promote rights, says Amnesty International,” click here.Source:All AfricaDevices to Enable Internet Access Via TV
MTN and Vodacom have launched two competing devices that are aimed at bringing affordable Internet access to consumers, while at the same time growing their data revenues.
General consumer of marketing at MTN, Mapula Bodibe, points out that, “Through the launch of our InternetOnTV device, we aim to increase Internet penetration among previously disadvantaged and unconnected communities in South Africa."
In the same vein, Vodacom commercial director, Romeo Kumalo, says the WebBox is a Vodafone innovation developed for customers in emerging markets where technology and cost barriers exclude many from enjoying affordable and easy Internet access.
To read the article titled, “Internet access via TV,” click here.Source:Business Day
Printer-friendly version
Vacancies
-
09/02/2012
-
09/02/2012
-
09/02/2012
-
10/02/2012
Events
-
Monday, February 13, 2012
-
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
-
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Opportunities
-
10/02/2012
-
10/02/2012
-
13/02/2012
-
14/02/2012
-
15/02/2012
