Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has defended his decision to withdraw the SABC Bill.
The decision has triggered mixed reaction.
Malatsi used his Ministerial power to notify the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza about the withdrawal of the Bill.
The Bill seeks to repeal the current Broadcasting Act and to continuously regulate the existence of the corporation. One of the objectives of the Bill is to create a funding model to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the SABC.
Malatsi explains the rationale behind his decision to withdraw the Bill.
“Right now, we need a credible funding model for the SABC. The Bill as it is does not answer the question around a sustainable SABC to be on the part of that sustainability and suitability that we need. And in addition to that, if you look at the written submissions that were provided to the Bill, there is a lot of criticism in terms of the key components of the Bill around the risks of editorial independence. Around the independence of the board. And those things I feel that are very important to refine the Bill. But most importantly we need to dedicate our energy towards that key funding model. And it is for those reasons that I exercise my duties as the Minister I have then withdrawn the Bill.”
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