Policy: Digital migration council to prepare switch-over plan

The ‘immediate task’ facing a broadcasting digital migration advisory council appointed this week by Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane is to prepare an ‘analogue switch-over plan’ – in liaison with a project management office established last month ‘outside the structure of the department’. According to yesterday’s media statement announcing the move, this is noting that, with the aim of ‘expediting’ analogue switch-off, Mokonyane is reviewing the ‘delivery model’ for digital terrestrial television in particular and broadcasting in general – as well as the migration process. The review will be informed by input received during comprehensive consultations ‘within and outside … government’ that have apparently already taken place. In anticipation of making the revised model public, the Minister expects to present it to Cabinet ‘in the … coming weeks’, notes Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch. 

In a more detailed statement last month, Mokonyane cited ‘partnerships and collaboration with industry’ as one of several principles underpinning the broadcasting policy review, along with ‘inclusive participation’. This may explain why, in yesterday’s press release, the Minister made a point of assuring stakeholders not represented in the council that ‘working groups and streams’ to be established as the process unfolds will provide opportunities for them to participate and make ‘valuable contributions’. While the principle of ‘efficiency and affordability’ will entail ‘building on existing infrastructure and distribution networks’, it is not clear how the department intends demonstrating its commitment to ‘transparency (and) accountability’ other than by way of regular progress reports.

Noting steps taken by the Independent Communications Authority of SA as part of its inquiry into the merits of introducing digital sound broadcasting services, Mokonyane’s June statement also confirmed her intention to issue a policy directive ‘allowing’ the authority to ‘initiate a licensing framework for digital radio in … in earnest’. As Legalbrief Today has already reported, a discussion document released in March for comment among other things noted the ‘scarcity of FM frequencies’ and the potential for digital radio broadcasting to improve radio frequency spectrum efficiency and management.