The Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill (AGA Bill)

The Constitution of South Africa requires that broadcasting in South Africa be regulated by an independent authority (ICASA). Certain provisions of the Astronomy Geographic Bill, however, give the Minister of Science and Technology and/or the Management Authority to be established in terms of section 15 of the Bill, and such Management Authorities will be vested with powers which will infringe on the powers of ICASA. In the NAB’s view, this is in contravention of Section 192 of the Constitution.

On 31 July 2007, the NAB made an oral submission before the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology highlighting these issues. The submission was a follow up of a written submission the NAB had submitted on 18 July 2007 in response to the Astronomy Geographic Bill.

• Submitted to: ICASA
• File: Download