Communications minister Faith Muthambi this afternoon presented the Department of Communications' (DOC's) budget vote speech for 2014/15 in Parliament - the department's first budget vote since the communications ministry was split in two a year ago.
Muthambi noted the broadcasting digital migration programme remains a flagship of the DOC. "Utilising our collective efforts and wisdom, we will do all we can to ensure the migration process commences during the second quarter of this financial year. We, therefore, make a call to all stakeholders to work together with us to realise this objective.
"We are mindful of the fact that the country will not meet the 17 June 2015 analogue switch-off date, as set by the International Telecommunication Union. We are ready to consult with Cabinet on the digital signal switch-on date."
She pointed out Cabinet approved government to provide free set-top boxes to the five million poor TV-owning households, which is a reflection of government's commitment to ensure digital migration happens within the shortest time possible.
The DOC will launch a focused public awareness campaign in the next four weeks, for which R22 million has been allocated, Muthambi said.
"We are hard at work to conclude and sign bilateral engagements with our six neighbouring countries, namely Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland, in order to minimise cross-border radio frequency spectrum interference.
"As we speak here, the technical team is already in Botswana for these engagements and we will join them tomorrow to finalise a memorandum of understanding between SA and Botswana in this respect. On 27 May and 3 June, we will be in Lesotho and Swaziland concluding the same.
"We do these because we have prioritised South African communities alongside the borderline areas for the distribution of set-top-boxes in order to mitigate any potential frequency spectrum interferences."
Decoder rollout
Muthambi stated the DOC anticipates to expedite the rollout of set-top boxes to be completed in the coming 18 to 24 months so the country can switch off analogue signal.
The DOC, she noted, is poised to deliver on its policy mandate, having prioritised the finalisation of the overarching national communications policy during this financial year.
"The primary objective of the policy is to ensure communication across the three spheres of government is well co-ordinated, effectively managed and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public."
During this financial year, she added, the DOC will finalise the review of the broadcasting policy, having received comments from the industry on the areas it is looking at. During the third quarter of the year, a discussion document will be released to further solicit inputs from the general public.
"As more people, especially children, access digital content online, challenges arise. We have prioritised the development and adoption of the Online Content Regulations Policy. Consultations on this policy are currently under way.
"The policy aims to create a framework in relation to online content distribution in the country. Once adopted, the policy will bring about a comprehensive and fundamental transformation for online content regulation in the country. We call upon all interested parties to work with the Film and Publication Board to ensure this policy is finalised in order to properly classify digital content and ensure children are sufficiently protected from exposure to disturbing and harmful content."
The numbers
Muthambi announced that for the financial year 2015/16, R1.281 billion has been allocated to the DOC, and R70.7 million (6% of the total budget) would be used to cover the department's operational expenses. She noted R1.21 billion (94%) is allocated to state-owned entities and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) to carry out its various mandates.
"R365.5 million has been allocated to support the work of GCIS. We will continue to support the work of the GCIS to ensure all citizens are informed about government programmes and projects," Muthambi said.
"We celebrate the fact that the South African Broadcasting Corporation is in a sound financial state and has a cash and cash equivalent balance of R1.02 billion (not audited) at the end of the 2014/15 financial year."
She noted the Film and Publication Board (FPB) performs an important and critical function of regulating the production, possession and distribution of films, games and publications, including the protection of children against harmful online content. "In this regard, R82.4 million has been allocated to the FPB during the 2015/16 financial year. The money will be used, among others, to increase the entity's visibility through the implementation of cyber safe outreach programme to protect children against harmful content."
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