ICASA Makes Final Recommendations to the Minister on Broadcast Ownership Laws

On 11 May 2004 ICASA released its final recommendation on proposed amendments to the ownership and control provisions contained in the IBA Act, 153 of 1993. The recommendation is the result of a “comprehensive policy process, involving extensive public and industry consultation”. ICASA believes that the recommendations, read together with the policy launched in January 2004 will encourage greater investment, promote empowerment and promote certainty and stability in the broadcasting industry. The recommendations proposes amendments to the IBA Act that deal with:

• limitations on ownership of commercial broadcasting licences;




• limitations on foreign control of broadcasting services; and




• limitations on cross-media control of commercial broadcasting services