Icasa launches discussion paper on low power sound broadcasting

Low power sound broadcasting describes services where the radiated power is less than one watt and is usually operated by shopping malls, conference centres, car racing tracks, drive-ins and churches.

With the launch last Friday of the Discussion Paper on "Low Power Sound Broadcasting" the Authority is inviting comment from all broadcasters, stakeholders and interested parties on issues surrounding the regulation and licensing of low power radio broadcasting as required by section 5 (2) (j) of the Broadcasting Act of 1999.

According to the Authority it has been inundated with enquiries regarding the licensing of low power radio in South Africa. In its three-year plan the Authority stated its intention to conduct an inquiry into low sound broadcasting in order to establish a regulatory and licensing framework for such a service. This inquiry is being conducted in terms of section 28 of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act ("the IBA Act") 1993, as amended.

A specific area that Icasa would like to address is whether there should be a differentiating feature between a community broadcasting service and a low power broadcasting service. In its discussion paper the authority says that although the Independent Broadcasting Act and the Broadcasting Act are very specific as to what constitutes a community broadcasting service, the distinction between community radio services and community low power radio services seems to be blurred and there is a perception that this class of licence is a duplication of what is in place.

For more information or enquiries, please contact:
Violet Letsiri
Manager: Policy Development
Tel: 321 8449
Cell: 082 881 0946

New code of conduct for broadcasters

Icasa's revised code of conduct for broadcasters which replaces section 56 (schedule 1) of the IBA Act came into effect on 4 February and applies to all broadcasters, regardless of their mode of delivery.

The code was revised for two reasons, namely: