Issued by: Ministry for Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting
STATEMENT GIVEN BY JAY NAIDOO MINISTER FOR POSTS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING at the switch on of the E.TV. signal
BRIXTON, JOHANNESBURG 7 September, 1998
Ladies and Gentlemen,
INTRODUCTION
South Africa's current broadcasting system is characterised by two factors.
On the one hand, is the quest of a newly democratised nation to utilise the unique and powerful broadcasting media in the task of nation building, and to construct a vibrant and democratic dispensation fostering national and cultural identity, and equality and respect for the fundamental rights of all South Africans.
On the other hand, South Africa is still shackled by its past, a society deeply divided between have's and have-not's, which divisions are clearly characterised along ethnic, racial, linguistic, gender and cultural lines.
These divisions still define the essence of the social, political, economic and cultural transformation that will be required to redress the legacy of apartheid in order to create a democratic and completely inclusive society.
The South African broadcasting system mirrors this duality.
Externally, the system displays levels of sophistication that favourably compare with any developing country in the world. A number of broadcasting services - offering a variety of programmes - appear to offer real choices to South Africans.
But large sections of the population have no choice of services and programming, and sometimes receive no services at all. A majority of South Africans rely on a single service, usually, radio, to meet their broadcasting needs.
NEW ERA IN BROADCASTING POLICY
The White Paper of Broadcasting Policy - which was tabled in Parliament in June this year - is the country's first ever policy framework for broadcasting, and it seeks to balance the past with the present while preparing for the future.
It sets up a broadcasting system based on universal access, diversity within a framework of national unity, democratisation of the airwaves, nation building, education and strengthening the moral fibre of society.
It is underpinned by the constitutional principles of freedom of expression and equality.
An important aspect is the clear separation of powers in the governance of the communications sector, namely in policy formulation, regulation and service operation.
For the first time, the roles and responsibilities of Parliament, government and the regulator (the Independent Broadcasting Authority) are clearly defined, with clear processes and mechanisms detailed.
I want to take the opportunity today of making special mention of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Hardly a week goes by without some article - generally reflecting unnamed sources and speculation about important issues - appearing in the media. Some of the queries I get in my office about the IBA are so ridiculous that I wonder if things are not being made up just to get a story.
I want to make it clear that I believe the present chairperson of the IBA is the most effective and efficient yet. I fully support Felleng Sekha in the difficult task she has. I support the board for their efforts and want to commend them for the progress they have made in fulfilling their mandate. In particular, I believe their management of the process of awarding the first free-to-air licence to e.tv was transparent, fair and above reproach.
After radio, free-to-air television has the greatest ability to meet the public policy goals for broadcasting. So in terms of television, government favours more free-to-air licences. e.tv is the first to receive a licence and will broadcast nationally. We would like to see regional and perhaps even community TV licences being issued, and we will encourage the growth of pay-TV and satellite TV services in the years ahead.
Private broadcasters will be required to make a contribution to nation building either through programming or funding of educational and information programmes, the production of local programme material and the promotion of all languages and the multi-cultural nature of our society.
Government has taken direct initiatives to expand the commercial broadcasting sector so as to stimulate investment, growth and provide for employment opportunities. These initiatives are outlined in the White Paper and are underpinned by the principle of greater competition.
By encouraging a diversity of broadcasters in South Africa, we are also encouraging the growth of local content programming and to this end, the production of local content - reflecting South Africa's cultures, languages and character - is identified the by White Paper as a top priority for broadcasting. Government is committed to establishing the South African Broadcast Production Agency to promote the production of South African broadcasting content and broadcasting materials as well as the distribution and exhibition of South African content in foreign markets.
In tandem with this, training and skills development targeting the previously disadvantaged will be prioritised. Government will support skills development through the establishment of the School for Broadcasting which is expected to open early next year.
SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION
As we are here today to switch on the national signal for the first transmissions of e.tv, it is pertinent for me to mention our vision for signal distribution in South Africa. I am pleased to learn that e.tv's signal will reach 64% of the South African at startup, increasing to more than 75% by the end of the second year.
But the reality is that the television broadcast network in South Africa reaches only 60% of the population - 40% of people have no access to television. This is compounded by nearly half of the population not having access to receivers. The regulatory strategy for the signal distribution sector is to achieve universal access to service and facilities. Signal distribution must be made affordable and a flexible tariff structure must be put in place for services where public interest imperatives apply.
Access to high sites will be afforded to all signal distributors on the opening up of the signal distribution market to competition in year 2000. Different licences of signal distribution will be granted and the regulator will be asked to develop a scheme for tariff regulation.
Priorities for signal distribution should reflect South Africa's social goals and needs of the broadcasting community and the needs of viewers. South African channels will be prioritised in pursuit of this objective.
South African control of signal distribution will be retained.
A Spectrum Management Agency will be established to be responsible for the overall function of policy development, research and planning of the use of the spectrum and it is expected that this agency will commence operations by the year 2000.
CONCLUSION
In the past, broadcasting was a tool used to entrench an oppressive political system that kept a large section of the population out of the public life of our country.
Today, we have set in motion the process to re-regulate the broadcasting system, to introduce new players and the place the regulation of the broadcasting system into the hands of an independent broadcasting authority.
The over-riding objective of our new policy is to create a broadcasting system within which the airwaves are utilised for the maximisation of the public good within the context of the Constitution.
In some ways, e.tv is the first child of this new dispensation. As their signal goes out into the homes of thousands of South Africans for the first time, I hope that the board and management have taken note of our expectations and of the role we see them playing in building our nation.
Thank You.
For further queries please contact Mandy-Jean Woods on 082 653 4211 or 012-427 8111.