Issued by: SA Broadcasting Corporation
NEWS RELEASE BY THE BOARD OF THE SABC
11:00, 3 November 1995, Radio Park, Johannesburg
Due to Wednesday's Local Government Elections, the Board of the SABC held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, 2 November, and not on the first Wednesday of the month as usual. A number of decisions were taken at this meeting, which is hereby being publicised in the interest of transparency and accountability.
1. Integration of the SABC and the former TBVC-Broadcasters
The Board took notice of significant developments in the process of integrating the SABC and the former TBVC Broadcasters, aimed at creating a single National Public Broadcasting Service (NPBS) by early next year. The Interim Co-ordinating Body (ICB), which is being led by the Chairperson of the SABC Board, and tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the agreed integration process, reported that good progress is being made on all fronts towards full integration, except for the unexpected withdrawal from the process by the Boputhatswana Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The Board has expressed its disappointment at this unfortunate development, especially since BBC had given every indication that they had accepted integration, and had been participating in the ICB and Joint Integration Management Committee (JIMC). The SABC, in cooperation with its other partners in the ICB (i.e. Transkei Broadcasting Corporation, Ciskei Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Thohoyandou), will take up the matter with the BBC as soon as possible in an effort to get them to re-join the process. The matter will also be pursued with the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) as well as the Minister of Post, Telecommunication and Broadcasting. In the meantime, however, the ICB and JIMC will continue to meet so that integration can take place as soon as possible, in line with the recommendations of the IBA.
2. SABC Budget for the new Financial Year
The Board has approved the Corporation's Budget for the 95/96 Financial Year. In contrast to last year, to meet our mandate this year we would have had to go into deficit to the order of approximately R200 million. We therefore had to make serious cuts to the budget in order to break even. Although revenue is expected to increase by 7% expenditure is expected to grow by 22%, which presents the SABC with a formidable challenge. Severe Corporation-wide cutbacks have had to be made to produce an acceptable and responsible budget, with serious implications for the SABC meeting its public service commitments. Amongst others, the following areas will be adversely affected by budgetary cuts" upgrading of our African language radio services, local content, regional expansion and programming. The Board has expressed its concern at this critical state of affairs, and agrees with the recommendation of the IBA that Government has an obligation to fund certain public service activities of the National Public Broadcaster. To this end, the SABC will redouble its efforts to obtain financial assistance from Government for meeting crucial public needs in th areas of information and education. In particular, this request will be tabled at the forthcoming Parliamentary Broadcasting Portfolio Committee Hearing on the IBA Report to Parliament, taking place on 8 November.
3. Progress in DTH Satellite Broadcasting
In addition to the three SABC television channels currently available on analogue Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite broadcasting, the SABC is launching a fourth. Programming on the new channel will primarily consist of sports, locally and internationally sourced, and to a lesser extent, entertainment. The Board has welcomed this exciting development aimed at expanding the SABC's delivery of value to the nation.
4. "Jihad in America"
After objections from certain members of the public, NNTV had delayed broadcasting the foreign documentary, "Jihad in America", in July this year in order to investigate the objections raised to its broadcasting. The Board Sub-Committee on Religion facilitated deliberations on the matter, and reported their findings to the Board. In line with SABC editorial policy and mindful of setting a wrongful precedent, the Board has decided that it would be inappropriate for itself to take an editorial decision about the programme, and has therefore referred the matter back to Management for a final decision within the framework of Board policy. Management has agreed to consult widely and consider the matter carefully before finalising the matter in due course.
Released by the Chairperson of the SABC Board,
Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri.
Enquiries can be directed to the Board Media Liaison Officer, Desmond Thompson: Tel 714-3019 Pager 804-2777 code 76290 Fax 714-5225