Parly committee hosts induction with Films Board, ICASA, and SABC

Parliament’s Communications and Digital Technologies Portfolio Committee held an induction programme in Somerset West this past week, bringing together various entities which fall under the Department.

The Films and Publications Board, ICASA and the SABC were among those that participated.

Various stakeholders, from regulatory bodies to the department, shared some of their vision and mission mandates. Digital inclusion was one of the topics touched on by the Director-General of Communications and Digital Technologies, Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani.

“When we talk of digital inclusion, we have to make sure that not only do we have the reliable necessary meaningful digital infrastructure and it is quite omnibus and I’ll go through it. But this is intended to ensure inclusion so that no one is left behind. We close all the digital divide that is there and we also achieve digital transformation from a person to as far as business as well as government is concerned.”

‘Explicit content’

Explaining its mandate and role on the regulatory side, the Films and Publications Board warned of the consequences of redistribution of explicit content on social media.

Acting CEO of the Films and Publications Board, Makhosazana Lindhorst says, “It is an offence to distribute private sexual photographs or films of any person without their consent. So like your revenge porn. If you see that in social media and now you start redistributing a sharing with friends, you are committing an offence. So we should refrain from redistributing. And also secondly, any video that you see on social media that is depicting sexual violence and also general violence against children, it’s also an offence and one is committing an offence and contravening the Films and Publications Act.”

Child Pornography also seems to be a headache for the Films and Publications Board.

Lindhorst elaborates, “So this is one of the biggest areas that we are dealing with, where we deal with a lot of cases where kids are part of child pornography. I will talk to the legislation because even the use of the word child pornography is just not appropriate and incorrect because when you look at where other countries are, they are not referring to it as child pornography but as child sexual abuse material. because as a child you are below the age of 18, there is no way you can be consenting to such activities.”

SABC Bill

On the broadcasting front, the SABC Bill which seeks to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the broadcaster, was also brought to the fore by SABC Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli.

“We really believe that it’s important that we do get the support when it comes to the SABC bill. The inputs that the SABC has made into the bill need to be taken into consideration. we do believe that as sabc we have a big role to play in the future of this country. and we do play a big role not just the economy but also just from a skills set perspective and ensuring that South Africa competes globally.”

The Communications Authority ICASA explains how it faced industrial action last year while it had generated billions, fearing another potential strike.

ICASA’s CEO  Tshiamo Maluleka-Disemelo says, “I also want to remind you chair that it was an embarrassment last year in September. I think 15 months after we auctioned the spectrum, we generated 14 billion for the fiscus, and we saw NEHAWU take to the streets and they said to me we like you, we welcome you but you are not making sense to us. for three years we have not been given a market-related salary increase and we can show you what we can do. and we experienced an industrial strike which was something easily that we could have defended had we had money or been given the enablers that I’m talking about. Chair I also need to alert you that if we don’t win our negotiations, we may go that route again this year.”

The ideas shared by the various entities were welcomed by Parliament’s Communications and Digital Technologies Committee Chairperson, Khusela Sangoni Diko.

“As we know ICT is the economic enabler for development, for growth of our economy and we’re really looking at what it is that we need to do to ensure that the policy environment is conducive. Very interesting discussions so far. How we are going to lower the cost of data? How we are going to ensure data sovereignty in this country? How we are going to ensure that the regulatory environment is enabling investment attraction? and I think most importantly how everybody who uses infrastructure and the platforms contributes to the development of our country.”

Most of these entities are expected to appear before the committee as they will be tabling their annual reports to Parliament.