South Africa: Commercial broadcasters' unsettled with government's slow pace of implementation

The South African commercial broadcasters have expressed their concerns over government decision to revisit the standards debate, saying any setbacks will prolong the country’s digital migration by years and put the country’s commitment to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to achieve full switchover by mid-2015 in doubt.

Earlier this year communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda disolved the Digital Dzonga council that was spearheading the digital migration process and advising the minister. On 20 August , 2010. Nyanda appointed a new Digital Dzonga Advisory Council existing of 15 members, the call for nominations was made in April 2010 and 51 names were submitted for consideration.

The new council is to serve a five year term, the 15th member of the council is expected to be nominated by the Department of Communications. The Council will advise the Minister and oversee the complex process of migrating South Africa’s analogue broadcasting services to a new digital technology known as digital terrestrial television (DTT).

The new members includes; Professor Mamokgethi Setati, Ruddy Rashama, Richard Charles Poulton, Julia Ntombikayise Hope,  Llewellyn Charles Jones,  Masodi Nkosazana Xaba, Dingane Dube, Calvo Mawela,  Zubair Munshi, Hlukanisa Richard “Jossy” Zitha, Nomvuyiso Batyi, Sabelo Isaac Bulelani Silinga, Karen Willenberg, Cawekazi Mahlati.

Addressing the media during a press conference in Pretoria, 20 August, 2010, the minister has acknowledged that the November 2011 deadline may have to be revisited. Nyanda said the new advisory council will advise if whether the final implementation date for digital terrestrial broadcast will need to be moved back, it is then when the government will make a decision.

This may be necessary if South Africa is to abandon its commitment to the European standard, digital video broadcasting terrestrial, in favour of a hybrid Japanese-Brazilian system known as integrated digital service broadcasting terrestrial, said Nyanda. // End// 

- August 23, 2010 by MISA

.................

Source: www.misa.org (received via e-mail alert on 24.08.2010)