The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies committee has indicated that in the next few weeks, it will prioritise and fast-track law-making to modernise communications legislation to be in line with the fast-changing digital environment.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies Khusela Sangoni-Diko expressed that one of the most
“Our communications laws were largely designed for an analogue era and are not fit for purpose in a fast-changing digital environment characterised by artificial intelligence, e-commerce, internet of things, blockchain and many other technologies.
“This outdated framework hampers innovation, delays transformation, and constrains the ability of entities such as the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Sentech, South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Postbank to adapt to new realities,” Sangoni-Diko said.
In the next few weeks, the committee’s legislative agenda will be adopting committee-initiated bills.
“The committee will prioritise and fast-track law-making to modernise this legislative environment for an inclusive, agile and secured society.
“Amongst the priorities will be legislation for the preservation and protection of the media, amendments where necessary to the Electronic Communications Act and the overarching legislation, to govern the so-called over-the-top services for platform accountability, should government not move with the requisite speed.
“Ours is to ensure that our legal framework keeps pace with global technological advancements,” Sangoni-Diko said.
Meanwhile, the committee welcomed progress made under SA Connect, particularly the rollout of over 3 000 public Wi-Fi hotspots serving four million South Africans to date.
“Young people and people in rural areas are beginning to access the opportunities the digital world offers. However much more remains to be done. Meaningful school connectivity remains a pipe dream for many learners. We call on the Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies and Basic Education to prioritise this urgently,” she said.
SABC
Meanwhile, the committee has warned that the SABC is at risk of collapse due to financial and operational challenges.
“Sentech, in turn, is bleeding more than R70 million per month subsidising the broadcaster’s signal costs. Yet the SABC Bill – essential to ensuring sustainability – remains stalled in Parliament. As the SABC is teetering on the brink of collapse, jobs livelihoods and the sustainability of the public and community broadcasting sector is threatened.”
Sangoni-Diko has called on Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to engage with the National Treasury on the investment into the SABC.
“The public broadcaster has not had a technology or infrastructure refresh in more than a decade. The SABC is not looking for a bailout. Government has a responsibility to invest in this strategic asset and recapitalise it where necessary. The time for decisive action is now; otherwise, South Africa risks losing its public broadcaster altogether,” the Chairperson said.
Furthermore, she implored the department to finalise the digital migration process.
“Since missing the ITU [International Telecommunication Union] deadline in 2015, government has repeatedly postponed analogue switch-off. Ten years later, South Africa continues to squander the economic and technological benefits of digital migration.
“Digital content creators are calling for space on the channels promised to them as part of the benefits on migration. We call on the department and the Minister to bring this matter to finality,” she said.
Post Office
The committee stressed that the Post Office must diversify its revenue streams and leverage its infrastructure for broader service delivery.
“Two years into business rescue, progress at SAPO has been slow and costly, with almost R250 million spent on business rescue practitioner fees and thousands of jobs lost. While we welcome signs of stabilisation, a sustainable turnaround plan remains elusive.
“Despite its challenges, the Post Office remains a strategic state institution which is a lifeline who many underserved communities. We must leverage its strengths,” Sangoni-Diko said. -SAnews.gov.za
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