broadcasting

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has welcomed the decision by e.tv to review its editorial management practices.

In a press statement, SANEF chairperson, Mpumelelo Mkhabela, points out that, "Council has noted developments regarding allegations of editorial interference at eNCA implicating politicians, shareholders and senior executives."

Mkhabela says SANEF welcomes the e.tv decision to launch the review of the channel’s editorial management practices to safeguard editorial independence and credibility of news coverage.  

Around 200 people marched in Cape Town on Saturday, 18 October 2014, to demand lower mobile call rates and media transformation.
 
The group blew whistles as they marched down Long Street and carried signs stating ‘Free Set Top Box’ and ‘Media for the people’.
 
A rapper, on the truck leading the march, belted out catchy lyrics calling for free Internet and media.
 
To read the article titled, “Right2Know marches for 'media for the people',” click here.

The Western Cape High Court has reserved judgment on whether the decision to licence three porn pay channels should be reviewed.

The Justice Alliance of South Africa (JASA), Cause for Justice, and Doctors for Life argue on why the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) erred in licencing the channels.

Digital Media (operating as Top TV and later StarSat) was granted three licences in April to broadcast Playboy TV, Desire TV, and Brazzers, subject to conditions.

The Zambian government maintains that it is on course in meeting the deadline of migrating to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting from analogue as set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 17 June 2015.

Information and Broadcasting Services, deputy minister, Poniso Njeulu, says Cabinet in March 2014 approved the policy on digital migration which set guidelines of migrating Zambia’s broadcasting sector from analogy.

The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services says government will announce a date for the switch to digital broadcasting within three months.

Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister, Siyabonga Cwele, points out that, “This designation will allow the industry, manufacturers and TV-owning population to prepare accordingly, in order to purchase and install set-top boxes.”

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board member, Vusi Mavuso, says that the SABC Foundation is working to create study and job opportunities for the youth.

Mavuso says that the Foundation creates bursary opportunities for students who intend to further their studies and are financially needy.

Mavuso highlights that as the country commemorates Youth Day, it is important to ensure that the youth gets access to education.

The Zambian government has launched the digital migration policy to help scale up the implementation process and ensure a people-driven migration agenda.
 
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Joseph Katema, also called for an all-inclusive participation by stakeholders to ensure success in the implementation of the digital migration.
 
Dr Katema expressed confidence that Zambia will migrate before 17 June 2015 deadline set by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and shift from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

Civil society groups have joined the list of political parties criticising the South African Broadcasting Commission (SABC) recently by protesting outside its Auckland Park head offices.

Right2Know, Save Our SABC, the Independent Producers’ Organisation, the Democratic Left Front and members of the National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (NUMSA) accuse the public broadcaster of favouring the ruling African National Congress (ANC), intimidating its journalists and failing to air quality, local content.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) chairperson, Ellen Zandile Tshabalala, has laughed off public protector, Thuli Madonsela's findings of irregularities in acting chief operating officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng's salary.
 
Tshabalala states that Hlaudi is diligent and very capable, the members of the board are right behind him.
 
A group of opposition parties is laying criminal charges against Motsoeneng following a damning report, titled ‘When Governance and Ethics Fail,’ released by Madonsela on 17 February 2014.