Date: 25/07/2003
Source: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
Title: Balfour: Regulations on sports broadcasting rights


COMMENTS BY THE MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION, NGCONDE BALFOUR, ON THE PUBLIC RELEASE OF A POSITION PAPER AND REGULATIONS ON SPORTS BROADCASTING RIGHTS, BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (ICASA), Friday, 25 July 2003

PRETORIA - The launch of the Position Paper and Regulations on Sorts Broadcasting Rights by Icasa is the culmination of a lengthy and intensive process of negotiations and discussions between stakeholders in sport, members of the public and the broadcasting authority.

It is a process that started during the term of office of my predecessor, the late Steve Tshwete, and involved intense debate on the right of access to the broadcasting of sports events by the general public.

It is an unfortunate reality that the majority of South Africans have for years been denied this right as a result of the introduction of subscription television in this country. Free-to-air television had virtually been starved of coverage of sports events of a national interest as a result of commercial considerations.

The regulations issued by Icasa should have the effect of reversing this trend. Whilst the list of sporting events of national interest issued by Icasa might not satisfy everyone, it is a crucial step in the direction of completely opening up the sports airwaves to the benefit of all South Africans. If we want to succeed in getting the majority of South Africans to actively participate in sport, we must ensure that there is affordable and easy access to the broadcasting of sports events.

These regulations should never be seen as an end in itself. It does, however, provide a solid foundation, and already we are seeing the impact of cooperation between broadcasting licensees with the return of sports such as rugby and tennis to the screens of the public broadcaster.

Icasa, undoubtedly, had the task of finding a balance between the right of public access to the broadcasting of sport events and the interests of national sport federations as the holders of broadcasting rights. In addition, the interests of the broadcasting industry, and in particular, the programming obligations of the public broadcaster, should have been paramount in drafting the regulations.

Whether the published regulations will succeed in its goal, will be realistically determined by the level of cooperation now expected between broadcasters. An obligation is now placed on all broadcasters to negotiate in good faith. The public will remain vigilant in protecting its rights as spelt out in the regulations.

Any attempt to hide behind or even to manipulate the regulations could only result in further consideration being given to revisiting legislation that provides for the broadcasting of national sporting events.

Issued by BMN Balfour, MP, Minister of Sport and Recreation
Enquiries: Graham Abrahams at 082 453 2244
25 July 2003