Documents

COMMENTS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS TO THE PARLIAMENTARY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THE CONVERGENCE BILL (B9-2005)

The NAB has been part of the consultative process to develop the draft Convergence Bill since the process started in 2003. The NAB therefore also wishes to thank the Department of Communications (“the Department”) for its efforts in ensuring broad industry involvement in the drafting of the Convergence Bill.

NAB Submission to ICASA on the Position Paper on Ownership and Control

ICASA published its Discussion Paper on the Review of Ownership and Control of Broadcasting Services and Existing Commercial Sound Broadcasting Licences in Notice 1825 published in Government Gazette 23873 dated 30 September 2002 (“the Discussion Paper”).

NAB Submission to the DoC on the Draft Convergence Bill

Convergence means different things to different people and in different contexts. This, however, should not serve as an excuse not to define the concept in the context convergence legislation. Indeed, because of the inherent ambiguity of the convergence concept, there is an immense need to explore and articulate the policy objectives of regulating for convergence. However, apart from the recognition of convergence as inevitable in various policy documents (White Paper on Telecommunications Policy para 2.5, White Paper on Broadcasting Policy chapter 7 and para 11.3, and Green Paper on E-Commerce chapter 9), there has been no specific policy articulated as to the appropriate regulatory response to the inevitable process of convergence.

NAB Submission on the Films and Publications Amendment Bill

This document makes a number of proposals with regard to the proposed amendments to the Films and Publications Act (“The Act”). The document not only addresses issues that relate directly to broadcasters. It goes wider, since it is submitted that the Bill touches on the climate of freedom of expression, which includes the right to receive and impart information as guaranteed.

NAB SUBMISSION ON THE DRAFT TERESTRIAL

  • 05 December 2003 | ICASA
2.1 The NAB notes that the publication of the draft plan comes at a time when the regulator is facing severe constraints in its broadcast frequency planning capacity. It appears that these constraints have had an impact on the regulator?s ability to deal effectively and comprehensively with many issues laid out in the plan, especially in relation to data accuracy and international coordination.

NAB Response to ICASA Feasibility Study on the Introduction of Commercial Regional and Local Television

  • 31 October 2003 | ICASA
The NAB believes that an economic impact study is one of the key tools in ensuring that the regulatory environment forms a coherent whole, which is stable and conducive to local and foreign investment whilst ensuring the diversity of views and the socio-economic development of South Africa.

NAB Submission on the ICASA Discussion Papers on Regional and Local Television

The NAB believes that the social goals set out in the Broadcasting Act, such as empowerment, diversity of services, universal access, and growth of local content, cannot be achieved without a thriving and a growing industry. It is therefore imperative that ICASA balance its social objectives with ensuring the viability and growth of the South African Broadcasting Industry. The NAB submits that it is not opposed to the licensing of LTV broadcasters or RTV broadcasters, and acknowledges the statutory requirements placed on ICASA in this regard. It is the NAB’s view however that ICASA must proceed with caution.

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