The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) on Monday dismissed a complaint laid by several opposition political parties against the SABC.
”The authority is satisfied with the SABC’s response … and has not referred the matter to the BMCC [Broadcasting Monitoring and Complaints Committee],” Icasa said in a press statement.
The complaint, laid by the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party and United Democratic Movement on Tuesday last week involved the SABC’s decision to broadcast what they said was the launch of the ANC’s election manifesto last Sunday.
They contended the broadcast was an electioneering opportunity for the ruling party, and not a presidential address as claimed by the SABC.
”We ask your assistance now in ensuring … that other political parties enjoy TV coverage of their election campaign launches, but also to ensure equitable treatment overall,” the parties said in a letter to the regulator.
The SABC was initially given until last Friday to respond to the complaints. On Friday it was granted an extension and provided a full written response on Monday morning.
Icasa had considered the merit of the parties’ complaint, and the response provided by the SABC when making its ruling, said Mandla Langa, Icasa chairperson.
The ”election period” — defined as the period from the date on which the election day is proclaimed, to the day after candidates are declared elected — had not yet commenced, Icasa ruled.
Therefore, the complaint fell ”outside of the ambit of the framework envisaged in the Elections Regulations and Guidelines”.
Icasa thus had only to rule on whether the SABC contravened the broadcasting legislation, and/or its own code of conduct (to ensure fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing South African society).
”After perusing the SABC’s response to the complaint, the Authority is satisfied that there is no apparent or real contravention of the broadcasting legislation,” Icasa said.
Contrary to the claims of the complaint, Sections 6(4)(c) and 6(8)(d) of the Broadcasting Act ”appear to support the broadcast of the material under discussion”, said Icasa.
Icasa also concurred with the SABC’s view that ”it is not clear in which respect the SABC’s code is alleged to be remiss”.
”The public interest was served in that the SABC broadcast comments from various political parties as well as its own political editor in order to ensure a plurality of views and analysis.”
The IFP launched its manifesto a week after the ANC, on Sunday, and received radio coverage, but no live TV broadcast from the SABC.
On Monday the SABC also denied claims by the Azanian People’s Organisation that the broadcaster intended only giving equal coverage to the events of political parties that won more than one percent of the vote in the last general election.
”Our editorial policy provides for equitable, fair and balanced reporting and it does not discriminate,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
SABC spokesperson Paul Setsetse said the public broadcaster has welcomed Icasa’s ruling.
”The ruling has vindicated us as we always maintained that the broadcast of Mbeki’s speech was justifiable,” he said.
”We furthermore demonstrated our commitment to fairness and equitable treatment by allowing opposition parties to comment on the speech on the very same day.”
Setsetse said the SABC was also happy the regulator did not find anything on the allegations that the public broadcaster violated provisions of its charter.
”This means we did not violate any of our rules and regulations and we will continue to practice fairness and equitable coverage to all parties,” he said.
DA spokesperson Nick Clelland-Stokes said the DA was extremely disappointed by Icasa’s finding on SABC’s hour-and-a-half live coverage of the ANC’s election campaign launch.
”We will study the SABC response and the full judgement carefully and take further advice before deciding our next step,” he said on Monday. — Sapa