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SABC TV Licensing Director Sylvia Tladi has detailed the state broadcaster’s proposal for the amendment of the broadcasting laws of South Africa, which include requiring DStv to crack down on TV license payments.
In a statement published on November 4, Tladi noted that the legislation has not kept up with the arrival of new technologies such as tablets, smartphones, the Internet and laptops, arguing that this must be taken into account.
“A digitally connected world leads to greater mass participation and offers people more options, as seen by the rise of connected devices like laptops; tablets; IPTV; Internet; cable boxes / decoders and smartphones are only part of the equation, ”he said.
“These new devices, which have given rise to new media platforms and content delivery channels, have a direct impact on television licensing legislation.”
Therefore, the SABC has submitted a revision of the Public Broadcasting Policy, which states that in order to continue to effectively meet South Africa’s public interest programming needs, these new devices must be included in the definition of “television”, or whatever it would now be known as a streaming device.
DStv TV broadcasting and licensing services
Tladi stressed the need for new legislation to improve compliance with regard to paying TV license fees, and argued that local pay TV operators like DStv should enforce this.
“To ensure maximum compliance with the legislative requirements related to the payment of television license fees, the SABC proposes that the law impose stricter obligations on all interested parties or relevant actors because ‘traditional’ television is no longer the only means of receiving a television broadcast, ”Tladi said.
“Therefore, to administer compliance with the payment of license fees, the SABC believes that other entities should be obliged to report on the sale, lease or use of these ‘televisions’ or display devices.”
He said that, as is currently the case with purchasing a TV, the proposed revised legislation will also motivate pay TV operators like DStv to hold their subscribers responsible for registering or having a valid TV license prior to subscription, purchase. or renting a television. decoder can be granted.
“In addition, the regulations sent are aimed at making it mandatory for Internet streaming and television streaming websites to pay a percentage of subscription fees to SABC, where these websites stream SABC content,” said Tladi.
Proposals still under discussion
Tladi said that SABC sees itself as a cross-platform content provider that offers public service content, which includes the collection, creation, launch, curation, packaging and distribution of content through public service media.
“The proposed amendment to the Television License Fee Regulations is critical to SABC’s ability to benefit from the opportunities created by media convergence and other technological developments in the broadcasting industry.”
This process is still in the consultation phase and requires further input from various stakeholders, including the public.
The SABC said it will keep the engagement process transparent and fair, and that it encourages discussions with all South Africans, including the corporate community, which would also be affected by the legislative changes.
“With the tide of technological advancements in the way we collect, store and disseminate information and stories, the law must also evolve to better regulate this space and reflect the current digital landscape in which we find ourselves,” said Tladi.
Now Read: SABC’s Plan for Netflix Viewers Paying TV Licenses Could Result Like Electronic Tolls
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