MMA reviews minister of communication's speech

Welcome invitation

In particular, the organisation welcomes the invitation to work in partnership with the minister in developing the communications and ICT sector. It also appreciates the news that the set-top-box manufacturing development strategy has been finalised and look forward to learning more of the details of this crucial aspect of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) rollout and more about its education and awareness campaign.

Universal access

The value of the provision of access to the internet to many cheaply, especially for the poor and marginalised cannot be underestimated, and is an issue that has dragged on for far too long. It supports the minister's plan for an ICT Indaba and plans for provision of connectivity to the rural poor.

Broadcasting Policy Review

It further welcomes the development on the broadcasting policy review process. This is an issue, which SOS Coalition to Support Public Broadcasting, together with MMA as a member, has been arguing in favour of for over three years. The announcement of the review panel "to conduct a comprehensive broadcasting policy landscape and make recommendations" is a very positive step forward. If comprehensively and inclusively handled, it will result in South Africa having a policy befitting a nation with the vision of being "a global leader in the development and...betterment of people's lives."

ICASA

The organisation expresses its concern regarding the suggestion in the minister's speech that ICASA councillors are to sign performance management contracts with the Department of Communications.

While there can be little doubt that the regulator can function far more effectively and optimally but, while the current legislation gives the minister the power to implement the suggestion, we believe that it has the potential to have negative consequences for the independence of the regulator.

Indeed, the late professor Kadar Asmal in his review of Chapter 9 bodies raised such concerns. In his report, he recommended that parliament make the changes to these sections and further recommended that it should be with parliament that the councillors have performance management agreements. To the best of its knowledge, parliament has not implemented these particular recommendations.

It is therefore unfortunate that the minister chose to make this suggestion before the broadcasting policy review has been completed, which would have allowed constitutional concerns to have been addressed. The organisation therefore calls on the minister to delay on this decision until the broadcasting policy review has been completed.