'Flawed' SABC Bill delayed

LEGISLATION: FUNDING AND INDEPENDENCE OF CORPORATION STILL CRITICAL, SAY EXPERTS

- Eric Naki

The SABC may have dodged a bullet when Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi withdrew the SABC Bill, which could have undermined its independence, but its future is still far from clear.

Media experts have praised the minister's decision, but the critical issue of how to ensure adequate funding for the corporation—because the licence system is ineffective—has still not been resolved.

Yesterday, the experts said the Bill was premised on an old broadcasting policy framework and it would have taken matters backwards.

Media Monitoring Africa's director William Bird said Malatsi acted well in not proceeding with the Bill in its current form. The Bill would have led to the SABC's independence being undermined.

"We need less ministerial influence—not more," Bird said.

He was referring to the Bill's provision that gave the minister powers to appoint SABC board members. In a strange twist, Malatsi himself seemed to be opposed to having such power.

He said the issue, along with public concerns on the editorial independence and the independence of the board, are among the reasons for him to withdraw the Bill.