According to Business Report, media group Caxton, owner of a number of magazine and newspaper titles, is legally challenging the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa) decision to award a pay-TV licence to MultiChoice, owner of the DStv bouquet of satellite channels.
Caxton’s legal action is on the basis that Icasa has contravened the Electronic Communications Act because Naspers, holding company of MultiChoice, is 45% owned by foreign investors. This is in contravention of Section 64 of the Act which states that foreigners may not directly or indirectly have a financial interest or an interest either in voting shares or paid-up capital in a commercial broadcasting licensee exceeding 20 percent.
