MDDA welcomes Sentech's decision of reducing signal distribution costs for community broadcasters

On Thursday, 26th April 2012, Sentech announced its decision to reduce signal distribution costs for community broadcasters. In its media statement Sentech states that "the average decrease in signal distribution costs facing the community broadcasters is 33% for Community TV services and 65% for Community FM services".

The MDDA welcomes this move by Sentech as it will contribute positively towards the sustainability of the sector in the long-term.

"This is a great effort towards the creation of an enabling environment for media diversity. It is in line with the regulatory approach taken since 1994 by the IBA, wherein through some form of cross-subsidisation community broadcasting is required to pay less application fees, pays no license fees and is not required to contribute to the universal service and access fee," said Mr Lumko Mtimde, the Chief Executive Officer of the MDDA.

This decision gives meaning and effect to the objectives of the MDDA, which amongst others, are to promote development and diversity in the South African media throughout the country, consistent with the right to freedom of expression as entrenched in section 16 (1) of the Constitution. The MDDA will continue to work together with Sentech and other strategic stakeholders to create an enabling environment for community broadcasters as contemplated in the MDDA Act 14 of 2002.