SOS Welcomes Progress Made on the ICT Policy Review

SOS WELCOMES PROGRESS MADE ON THE ICT POLICY REVIEW PROCESS

The SOS: Support Public Broadcasting Coalition is pleased to note the Minister of Communications’ announcement of the progress made in the long-awaited ICT Policy Review Process.

In particular, the Coalition is pleased to note the appointment of Mr Joe Mjwara and Ms Libby Lloyd as chairpersons of the Panel and Broadcasting Committee, respectively. Both are experienced and widely respected in the ICT sector.

The Coalition supports Minister Pule’s expectations of the ICT Policy Review Panel which, inter alia, require it to:

• Do an extensive review of ICT policy and practice in South Africa to date;
• Develop an integrated and forward-looking ICT policy framework which seeks to support and realise South Africa’s developmental objectives;
• Liaise with and take into account the inputs and views of all stakeholders; and
• Provide a progress report within three months of starting its work and a final report within six months.

SOS welcomes the Minister’s commitment to public participation. We believe that the inputs of civil society including civil society campaigns, organisations and individual listeners and viewers will bring an essential citizen-orientated perspective to the Review. We would like the opportunity to make a number of submissions at key points in the process.

Further, we welcome the fact that the Minister will be providing the Panel with additional resources. We believe that this will assist the Panel in liaising with key stakeholders, ensuring quality research and analysis and completing its work within the deadlines set.

Finally, we wish to pledge our support to the Panel in developing a new vision for innovative citizen-oriented public broadcasting in South Africa. As discussed on a number of occasions we would like to submit our vision document to all panel members. The Coalition has developed this document over a number of years of intensive consultation.

The SOS Coalition represents a number of trade union federations including COSATU and FEDUSA, a number of independent unions including BEMAWU and MWASA; independent film and TV production sector organisations including the South African Screen Federation (SASFED); a host of NGOs and CBOs including the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), and a number of academics and freedom of expression activists.

For more information contact:

Kate Skinner
(082) 926 6404

OR

Sekoetlane Jacob Phamodi
(076) 084-8077