Question NW552 to the Minister of Communications
23 March 2016 - NW552
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications
what progress has been made to date with the review of the SA Broadcasting Corporation’s editorial policy; (2) whether any form of public consultation has taken place during the review process of the specified policy; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the details of the public consultation process followed to date, (b) (i) how and (ii) when were notices for public consultations published, (c) which, if any, organisations submitted written comments, and (d) will she make each of such written representations submitted during the public consultation process available to Ms P T van Damme; (3) (a) when does the SABC envisage that a new draft editorial policy will be completed and (b) when will such a new draft policy be tabled in Parliament?
Reply:
- The revised SABC editorial policy has been approved by the SABC Board and is currently being implemented.
- (a) Yes public consultation has taken place. Stakeholder engagements were held with more than 30 organisations and interest groups from across the country and were followed by 17 public hearings, where each province hosted at least one. Almost 2,000 people attended these hearings.
(b) (i) & (ii) The public consultations were advertised on SABC platforms and in selected print media.
(c) The SABC received 216 written submissions from individuals and organisations.
(d) Not applicable.
3) (a) The policy has been completed
(b) The editorial policy are submitted to the Authority, not Parliament.
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: