SECTOR 2 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 (2010: n/a; 2008: n/a; 2006: n/a) 2.4 Transparency of ownership of media houses in print/broadcasting is guaranteed by law and enforced. Under the Electronic Communications Act’s broadcasting licence regulations,26 broadcasters are required to be open and transparent about their ownership. This is guaranteed by law and enforced through the regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). However, in terms of print media, discerning ownership is not at all transparent. Mention was made of Print Media South Africa (now the Print and Digital Media South Africa, or PDMSA) coming under pressure from the government to regulate the sector better for this lack of transparency. PDMSA is a non-profit, voluntary association that brings together members of the print and digital media in South Africa. Its members include the Times Media Group, Caxton & CTP, Independent Newspapers, Media24, the M&G Media and the Association of Independent Publishers. The recent buy-out of the Independent Newspaper Group by a consortium called Sekunjalo Independent Media (SIM) is a case in point when it comes to the lack of transparency of print media owners. At the time of the AMB, panellists did not know who or what Sekunjalo represented but there were many rumours relating to politically connected individuals and companies, as well as part-ownership by a labour union.27 While all take-overs and mergers are checked by the Competition Commission, which looks at any possible cross-ownership as well as whom the shareholders are, this information is not revealed to the public. The Competition Commission looks at it purely from a concentration point of view and not in relation to political interference. 26 South Africa. Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 25 of 2002. 27 In June 2013, Sekunjalo Independent Media revealed a list of its shareholders. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2013 35