Padayachie pulls plug on broadcasting bill

Communications minister Roy Padayachie has withdrawn the controversial Public Service Broadcasting Bill pending further consultation, and wants to consider new models for funding the SABC and community media.

Padayachie's decision follows complaints from concerned groups at public hearings held in Midrand last week.

The draft bill had called for, among other things, the scrapping of TV licences and for an amendment to the Income Tax Act that could have resulted in up to 1% of personal income tax being set aside for public broadcasting.

"I am convinced much more can yet be gained by engaging in further work before a bill is presented to cabinet," Padayachie says. "I have thus decided to withdraw the current draft Public Service Broadcasting Bill."

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See also:

The Daily Maverick: Analysis: Padayachie finds there's a thin line between spotlight and target