Public Service Broadcasting Bill: DA welcomes legislation's withdrawal
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the somewhat sudden withdrawal of the controversial Public Service Broadcasting Bill by the Department of Communications, pending further consultation.
The shelving of the Bill follows the DA's call last week for its withdrawal, as well as oral submissions by affected stakeholders, who indicated they were not in favour of major sections of the Bill, including the inclusion of 1% personal income tax, as well as centralising the control of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in the Minister of Communications as a member of the executive and government.
The DA welcomes the prudence exercised by the Communications Department in this regard, as the Bill would have had harmful consequences for South Africa's media sector, and public broadcasting in South Africa. Indeed, it was deeply concerning that the bill was mooted in the first place, with the sweeping powers it would have afforded the Minister of Communications regarding financial control over the SABC and the misguided attempt to fund the SABC from a 1% income tax.
In his statement withdrawing the bill, Minister Padayachie said:
'First, for the developmental and democratic goals of the Republic to be best served it is imperative that our broadcasting policy is at the cutting edge of our digital age. Second, broadcasting policy, to realize its full potential for the country, requires wholehearted and energetic mobilization of State, industry and societal role players.'