ICASA Sets Stage for New Community Broadcasting Licenses in 2024

Pretoria, South Africa - The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is readying for another significant step towards fostering local media and community engagement with the announcement of a new round of community sound broadcasting licenses set to open for applications in December 2024. This development follows a successful licensing round in the 2022/2023 process, which culminated in the issuance of licences to five new community broadcasters.

The community sound broadcasting industry in South Africa stands as a pillar for local content, empowering smaller communities with the capacity to voice their unique narratives, keep local cultures thriving, and ensure the flow of information tailored to local needs. Understanding the vital role of these broadcasters, ICASA's upcoming licensing round is poised to not only expand the number of voices in the media landscape but also to support local development and democracy.

To ensure a smooth and informed application process, ICASA plans to kick-off proceedings with a virtual workshop scheduled for 12 July 2024. Prospective applicants and interested stakeholders are invited to attend this workshop designed to provide valuable insights into the version requirements and aid parties in navigating the regulatory framework effectively.

Adv. Luthandi Mkumatela, spearheading the Licensing of Community Radio Broadcasters Council Committee, emphasizes the necessity of engagement with the upcoming workshop. Mkumatela underscores the workshop's value in clarifying the application process, ultimately guiding stakeholders in tendering compliant proposals. By echoing the call to participate, ICASA stresses the integral factor of preparation, recommending a thorough review of the Community Broadcasting Services Regulations in anticipation.

The prospect of expanding community broadcasting services holds the promise of enhanced access to a vital resource for information and local discourse. With the workshop as a stepping stone, ICASA is committed to furnishing these potential broadcasters with the essential knowledge and direction to navigate the application maze, thereby cultivating a more diverse and inclusive media environment.

Prospective community broadcasters are poised to enjoy the dual benefit of the Community Sound Broadcasting Service licenses and the associated Radio Frequency Spectrum licenses, crucial in delivering content to their respective audiences. As ICASA fine-tunes the details of the application process, with the official Invitation to Pre-Register impending, the landscape for community media is on the brink of an enriching and transformative shift.

This initiative marks yet another chapter in South Africa's ongoing commitment to ensure media pluralism and the right to communication, particularly within grassroots settings. By fostering local participation in the broadcasting arena, ICASA's endeavor serves not only as a regulatory procedure but as an affirmative action reinforcing the nation's democratic foundations.