AT stake in this week’s court battle over the Independent Broadcasting Authority’s (IBA) recent licencing process is more than the question of the rightful buyer of Radio Jacaranda. Hanging in the balance is the authority and credibility of the IBA, already damaged by the admission that they were inquorate when they made crucial privatisation decisions.
The court hearing will raise questions about the competence of a body which makes such a basic procedural error. But this comes at a time when the IBA has already been weakened by repeated accusations that it is a slow- running gravy train, that it is unable to stand up to the South African Broadcasting Corporation, that there is corruption in the ranks … and a host of other controversies which have been widely aired since the IBA’s formation.
Some of the criticisms come from those who want to see an effective and credible independent authority overseeing broadcasting, and are concerned that recent events undermine this. But there are others who would like to use the situation to weaken the IBA’s independence.
That would be a tragedy. It would undermine the substantial gains made in the broadcast industry.
But to maintain its independence, the IBA also needs authority. And it will have to rebuild this in coming months.