The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is reviewing the country’s content regulations for television and radio, it said on Friday.
Before making the regulations final, the public would be called on to make comments about a discussion document published by Icasa, spokesman Paseka Maleka said.
“The discussion document is an inquiry in terms of section 4B of the Icasa Act into the review of South African local content on television and radio regulations.”
Maleka said the authority had conducted an analysis and assessment of the cultural, economic and social benefits brought about by the preservation of South Africa’s programming regulations.
A cost-benefit analysis was also conducted, he said. The analysis determines whether a planned action will turn out good or bad.
Icasa’s view was that local content quotas would go a long way in protecting and developing the country’s national cultures and identities, and promoting local industries, Maleka said.
“Prior to developing a discussion document, the authority appointed a consulting company to conduct a thorough analysis and assessment of the cultural, economic and social benefits brought about by the preservation of South African programming regulations and to perform a sound cost-benefit analysis on behalf of Icasa.”
A copy of the consulting company report is available at the Icasa library, the authority said.
Interested stakeholders are encouraged to make comments by 4pm on 10 September. — TechCentral and Sapa