The IBA will no longer formulate telecommunications policies, writes Jacquie Golding-Duffy
THE announcement early this week by Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Minister Jay Naidoo that his department will take over the task of developing telecommunications policies has met with mixed response.
While some in the industry are apprehensive about the Independent Broadcasing Authority (IBA) shedding this responsibility, others have welcomed the decision.
The IBA will now focus solely on the regulation of the airwaves and the issuing of television and radio licences.
Chairman of the Freedom of Expression Institute Raymond Louw says while the IBA’s scaling down of responsibilities will bring it in line with other regulatory bodies in the world, there exists concern that policy formulation and decision-making by the ministry could extend to meddling in the actual broadcasting function.
Although Naidoo gave assurances that this will not be the case, Louw argues that the issue of policy decision-making by the ministry could lead to “temptation” where the ministry decides on the content of programmes and “policy is possibly used to dicate to the public broadcaster its programme content.
“Creating policy so as to improve the environment and make it conducive to broadcasters flourishing is desirable. But attempts to control programme content is undesirable,” Louw says.
IBA co-chairperson Peter de Klerk says Naidoo assured broadcasters that policy formulation by the ministry will not extend to content but will be concentrated on policy which is of national interest — instances where government can play a major role in addressing imbalances by establishing a reliable network that will reach both rural and urban communities.
SABC’s chief executive of television Jill Chisholm says she has had assurances “from the president onwards” that the independence of the SABC is valued by government and therefore does not believe there would be any intervention in programme content.
Executive director of the National Association of Broadcasters, Daniella Goldman, says there is “so much policy that still needs to be developed and the IBA is not the appropriate institution to handle policy formulation.
“The IBA should be guided by policy and not be formulating it. Although I can understand people are uncomfortable with the dangers involved in the ministry formulating policy, provided the ministry is transparent and closely consults with broadcasters and others in the industry, there shouldn’t be a problem.”