that many programmes which the broadcaster should be offering to fulfil its public
mandate, including educational programmes, are not being produced any more.
To find a lasting solution to the public broadcaster’s financial woes, the Department
of Communications in its Public Service Broadcasting Bill has proposed the
establishment of a broadcasting fund fed mainly from an additional income tax up
to one per cent of total income – a suggestion which was immediately rejected by
the minister of finance. Civil society groups such as the SOS campaign are urging
government to embark on a thorough policy review and to conduct extensive
research before deciding on a new funding mechanism. Such research will have to
look at the amount of funding the SABC actually needs, what the best funding
model would be and where the necessary funding is to be sought.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score: 			

2.2 (2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a)

3.8
The state/public broadcaster is technically
accessible in the entire country.
SABC is working towards being technically accessible across the country. Presently
90 per cent of South Africans can receive SABC radio and television signals, with
radio coming close to 100 per cent. This does not mean, however, that all South
Africans can receive all SABC TV channels which broadcast nationwide or more
than one SABC radio station. In certain areas of the country only one TV and/or
one radio station can be accessed – and an estimated two to three million people
are not receiving any broadcasting signals.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2010

51

Select target paragraph3