The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, representing over three and a half million South Africans who are members of our Church, welcomes the opportunity to comment on this Bill

INTRODUCTION

The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, representing over three and a half million South Africans who are members of our Church, welcomes the opportunity to comment on this Bill.

The Church does not claim any expertise in the more technical aspects of broadcasting, or in the operational details of a broadcasting service. However, as is eloquently stated in the preamble to the Broadcasting Act (4 of 1999), and in section 2, which outlines the objects of the Act, the public broadcaster plays a vital role in the social, cultural, developmental and political spheres of our lives; and the Church has a deep interest in all these spheres.

Section 2(a) of the principal Act requires a broadcasting policy which will

"contribute to democracy, development of society, gender equality, nation building, provision of education and strengthening the spiritual and moral fibre of society;"

These concerns, again, are very much the concerns of the Catholic Church, along with people of other churches and faiths who wish to contribute to a better life for all our people. In this light, we wish to comment on three aspects of the Bill in particular:

- the explicit reference to religion and spiritual enrichment;
- the question of [possible or potential] political control or interference; and
- the matter of adequate funding for public service broadcasting.

RELIGION

South Africa is blessed with a population which has a very high rate of religious adherence and practice. Almost all of the world's major faiths are represented in our country, and we have a great diversity of Christian denominations. People of religion have contributed greatly to our progress as a nation, especially in the struggle against racism and racial domination.

Religion also has a vital role to play in our future. The core values of all our faiths - love of neighbour, the striving for social justice, respect for life and human dignity - must take root more deeply if we are to address our unacceptably high rates of crime and violence, and end the poverty and deprivation which affect so many of our people.

We therefore welcome enthusiastically the fact that the Bill makes explicit reference to religion, religious background, and spiritual enrichment. It makes spiritual enrichment one of the central objects of the SABC, along with information, education and entertainment (clause 9 of the Bill), and it recognizes that the religious needs of the population must be met (clause 3 of the Bill).

We believe that these, and other references, have the potential to assist greatly in answering recent calls by the government for the moral renewal of our society, and we are confident that the faith community will co-operate fully with the SABC in this respect.

POLITICAL CONTROL

Freedom of the media is one of the pillars of democracy, and it is enshrined in our Constitution. The broadcasting services of the SABC, especially radio, undoubtedly reach more people than other media do. There is thus great potential for nurturing - or harming - our democracy through the way in which the national broadcaster is controlled. Anything which amounts to unwarranted political interference must therefore be avoided.

Two provisions in the Bill are of some concern in this respect:

Firstly, clauses 11 and 12 provide that the Corporation must "submit to the Minister for approval" sets of policies regarding news editorial policy, among others. We share the feelings of various other organisations that there is no need for this type of Ministerial oversight; indeed, it would be all too easy for it to develop into direct political interference.

If the Minister has reason to believe that editorial policy is not meeting the prescribed standards of accuracy, impartiality and fairness - as required by clause 11 of the Bill - the correct course would be for her (or him) to approach the Board of the SABC. In our view it is the task of the legitimately constituted Board, rather than a political authority, to exercise oversight and control of these policies.

Accordingly, we submit that clauses 11 and 12 be amended to remove the requirement of ministerial approval of policies. Similarly, we submit that clause 6(4), which provides for ministerial approval of reporting policy, should also be deleted.

Secondly, we note that the 12 non-executive members of the Board of the Corporation will continue to be appointed in terms of section 13 of the principal Act (which provides for both public and Parliamentary input in the nomination process). However, clause 15 of the Bill provides that the Minister will nominate the six non-executive members of the management boards of the public and commercial services.

Again, we can see no reason why there needs to be direct ministerial involvement at this level; it would be preferable for the Board itself to decide which of its members are best qualified to serve on the respective commercial and public service management boards.

FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING

We are not in a position to comment on the desirability or otherwise of splitting the current service of the SABC into two components, a public service broadcaster and a commercial broadcaster. We are aware, however, that concerns have been expressed that this split may result in the public service arm being deprived of adequate funding, given that the commercial arm would be more likely to attract advertising revenue.

Without wishing to prejudge the situation, we would share this concern and would urge that steps be taken to prevent the public service arm becoming the ‘poor relation’. As we have already said, the Church views the national broadcaster as a vital tool in the development and progress of our people. The public service aspect of its work is of greater relevance to this end than is the commercial aspect, and it must under no circumstances be neglected. We urge this Committee to monitor the consequences of the split, and to help ensure that public service broadcasting remains on a sound financial footing.

CONCLUSION

We end by re-affirming our support for the core values set out in both the principal Act and the present Bill. We recognize the importance of the national broadcaster, and we look forward to an SABC which serves the interests of all our people.

Thank you.