Proposed Changes in SABC Bill Suggests Household Levy to Replace TV Licences

SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) may witness a transformative phase, as the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies recently announced proposed amendments to the SABC Bill. The proposal seeks the replacement of the current television licence system with a "household levy", hoping to establish a more viable medium for funding the national broadcaster.

The proposal comes in light of the high evasion rates associated with TV licence fees, deemed an unsustainable financial model for the SABC. Deputy Minister of Communications, Philly Mapulane, who briefed the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, asserted, "the television licence fee as a mechanism to fund the SABC is not viable. Hence, the proposed introduction of a household levy."

However, the exact amount to be levied as the household fee will be subject to agreement between national treasury, the communications and the Public Enterprises ministers.

Although the proposed amendments sparked some controversy, the Department insists that the revised SABC Bill will preserve the independence and integrity of the institution. Collin Mashile, Chief Director in the Department, assures that relevant legislation protective of the corporation's independence in programming will be enacted.

However, William Bird, the Director of Media Monitoring Africa, criticized the Bill, advocating that it could undermine the SABC's editorial independence. Bird and the SOS organisation are urging Parliament to reject the Bill, pushing for it to uphold its mandate of preserving the broadcaster's integrity.