SABC's financial crisis: 'It should've been addressed 2 decades ago'

Stephen Grootes interviews William Bird, Director of Media Monitoring Africa.

Listen below:

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has announced that he is revising the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) funding model to ensure the broadcaster’s long-term sustainability while the SABC Bill is being developed.

Malatsi believes that the current SABC Bill does not sufficiently address the broadcaster’s financial stability, particularly in the context of the rapidly changing digital landscape.

According to Bird, the SABC's current financial crisis can be traced back to decisions made by previous ministers to switch off analogue signals before a viable alternative was in place, cutting off a significant portion of their audience.

"This is an issue that should've been addressed about a decade and a half, if not two decades ago, but be it as it may, at least it's now being addressed finally."

- William Bird, Director – Media Monitoring Africa

Malatsi has emphasised that his focus is on creating a funding model that aligns with the evolving demands of modern broadcasting.

Bird suggests that a viable funding model will likely involve a mixed public-private approach, relying on public funding.

The SABC has already proposed two potential solutions: replacing the TV licence with a household levy, and collaborating with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and DStv owner MultiChoice to collect the levy.

Bird highlights that if the public wants access to credible, fair, and accurate news, journalism must be adequately funded, and a key component of this ecosystem is a strong public service broadcaster.

He adds that the funding must come from somewhere, and it is possible to implement a 'reasonable' system that generates necessary revenue for the SABC.

"When you sell off public assets, you shouldn't actually let them just disappear into the fiscus. They should be going to things that are gonna actually fund journalism and fund programming that isn't going to be made by anyone else."

- William Bird, Director – Media Monitoring Africa

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SABC's financial crisis: 'It should've been addressed 2 decades ago' – Media Monitoring Africa

William Bird of Media Monitoring Africa believes the SABC's financial crisis partly stems from previous ministers' decision to switch off analogue signals before implementing a viable alternative.