ATC080813: Report Broadcasting Amendment Bill

Communications and Digital Technologies

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the Broadcasting Amendment Bill (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 13 August 2008

The Portfolio Committee on Communications had been given permission by the National Assembly on 26 June 2008 to proceed with the Committee’s proposal to amend the Broadcasting Act [No 4 of 1999]. The amendment provides for the removal of a member or members of the South African Broadcasting Corporation Board on the recommendation of the National Assembly, and for the dissolution of the Board.

The amendment Bill, as presented to the Speaker of the National Assembly, was published for comment in the Government Gazette dated Friday, 4 July 2008. The Committee received twelve submissions from interested parties and entities, and oral comment was heard on 5 August 2008. The Committee completed its deliberations on 13 August 2008 and agreed to the Bill (DA and IFP dissenting).

The Committee reports that it has completed its deliberations on the Bill and, in accordance with Rule 243, introduces the Broadcasting Amendment Bill [B72   - 2008] (National Assembly – section 75).