This follows after widespread unhappiness about the way that the departement of communications is seemingly trying to steam roller the new Public Services Broadcasting Bill that would radically transform the SABC, as well as give the minister sweeping executive powers of the SABC, and public broadcasting in South Africa.
Oh. And then there is the new tax the department wants to impose on tax payers to fund the SABC.
The minister said that he has ''no intention of undermining'' media freedom in South Africa and that he doesn't want to interfere ''with the day-to-day running of the public broadcaster''.
The South African public had a SUPER SHORT time to comment which got extended just a little bit to 15 January 2010 (this past Friday). In his statement the minister is actually shocking further by saying:
''The comments will now be consolidated into the draft bill and be sent to cabinet for discussion after which the draft will be sent to parliament for further discussion and be subjected to public hearings. The public would therefore have another opportunity to give their views about the draft bill before it is passed into law.''
Wow. So the public only has ONE MORE CHANCE TO SEE AND COMMENT ON A RADICAL MASSIVE BROADCASTING BILL before it becomes law???
Please mister Minister, tell us: WHY THE RUSH???
