Jubie Matlou, Icasa spokesperson calls the meeting (of two hours where Icasa chairperson Paris Mashile was present) . . . ''frank''.
''The meeting was frank. They've put their case forward and we've put our case forward. We will have a follow-up meeting again in a month's time.''
I can be first to tell you that Icasa is working on three documents which will be available to the public in about two weeks time (hence the meeting in a month.)
Icasa is working on a new blueprint document, referred to as the new Compliance Manual for all South African broadcasters. This manual will detail how, and track how, they should comply with their licence terms and conditions. It will be published in the next two weeks or so.
Icasa also plans to release the SABC's 2008/2009 Compliance Report - which should make for very interesting reading.
''We are going to release it to the public,'' says Jubie, ''so that the question on the SABC's compliance is not a matter of something that is between the SABC and Icasa only.''
Icasa is also readying the final Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) regulations which Icasa will also publish in the next few weeks. The regulator also has a detailed DTT market study which will help with the review of existing local TV content regulations.
The review?
Yep.
According to Icasa the last local TV content regulations was set and published in 2003.
''It needs to be reviewed every 5 years. Especially as South Africa is moving into a digital broadcasting environment, its crucial to relook these regulations again.''
