House of Assembly: Vol7 - MONDAY 29 AUGUST 1988
†Indicates translated version.
For written reply:
General Affairs:
asked the Minister in the State President’s Office entrusted with Administration and Broadcasting Services:
Whether he is responsible for adjudicating whether the SABC broadcasts its programmes in accordance with the contents of Government Notice No 1249 published in the Government Gazette in June 1979, further particulars of which have been furnished to the Minister’s Department for the purpose of his reply; if not, (a) who is responsible in this regard, (b) what is the position held by this person, (c) by whom is he employed and (d) what are the relevant contents of this Government Notice?
In as much as the Minister entrusted with the execution of the Broadcasting Act (Act 73 of 1976), has laid down conditions which must be satisfied by the SABC in terms of Article 7(2)(b) of the Radio Act (Act 3 of 1952), there rests upon such Minister the responsibility of ensuring that these conditions are met. Due to the broad, general nature of the existing conditions as proclaimed in Government Notice 1249 dated 15 June 1979, the above-mentioned responsibility, which rests upon me as the Minister entrusted with the Broadcasting Act, 1976, is also of a broad, general nature. Direct control and management of the SABC is the primary responsibility of the Board of the SABC, and therefore the Board also has a more direct responsibility to ensure that programmes are presented in accordance with the stated conditions. This does not however relieve the Minister of final responsibility.
- (a) Not applicable.
- (b) Not applicable.
- (c) Not applicable.
- (d) The relevant conditions are stated in full in the Government Notice referred to above.