In South Africa, the Communications and Digital Technologies committee is expected to advance with the controversial SABC Bill when members of Parliament (MPs) return to the National Assembly.
The legislation is one of 12 bills before the National Assembly that were recently revived after lapsing at the end of the sixth Parliament.
The SABC Bill proposes reforms in the SABC’s funding model and TV licensing system, including a levy for all households.
The SABC Bill is one of several bills that MPs must consider and pass after the recess.
Once passed into law, the bill will result in the repeal of the current Broadcasting Act.
The legislation will also bring a new funding model for the struggling broadcaster with a new subsidiary company and a new board to manage commercial television and radio stations.
The bill also introduces a “household” or public service levy for each household to deal with the non-payment of TV licences.
However, media organisations, including the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and Media Monitoring Africa, said earlier that the bill offered no funding solution and provided for the minister to develop a funding framework for three years.
