Pretoria – In preparation for the sixth democratic Provincial and National Elections, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is gearing itself up to ensure that there is fair and equitable treatment of all contesting political parties, by broadcasting service licensees during the upcoming 2019 National Elections.
In this regard, ICASA has published Final Amendment Regulations on Party Election Broadcasts, Political Advertisements, and Equitable Treatment of Political parties by Broadcasting Licensees for the 2019 National Elections. This to defend and advance South Africa’s democracy and to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
The regulations prescribe a framework and guidelines under which Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs) and Political Adverts (PAs) shall be conducted and carried by broadcasting service licensees during the 2019 National Elections.
The regulations provide a framework outlining the responsibilities of the broadcasting service licensees and political parties during the election period. “Therefore, the most important aspect for the regulations during the election period is finding the right balance between the respect for editorial independence and the need for rules to guarantee that media coverage does not disadvantage other participants,” says ICASA Councillor, Nomonde Gongxeka-Seopa.
Elections are an important public event and as such fall within the ambit of news and current affairs; and therefore, broadcasters are encouraged in the public interest, to provide a full, impartial, and independent coverage of the elections; and abide by the regulations.
The Authority would like to inform relevant stakeholders of how the process is going to unfold:
- The Authority will receive the final list of contesting political parties from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in due course;
- Upon receipt of the list, the Authority will invite contesting political party representatives to a briefing session to allocate the PEB slots;
- The public broadcaster and other broadcasting service licensees who have indicated interest in transmitting PEBs will also be invited;
- The Council of ICASA will proclaim the Election Broadcast Period; and
- The Authority will therefore publish the PEB schedule in the government gazette.
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