The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is holding public hearings aimed at reviewing Sports Broadcasting Rights Regulations. This is in response to ICASA’s Discussion Document published on 3 October 2008.
Hearings take place on 22 and 23 January at Block C Presentation Room, Pinmill Farm, 164 Katherine Street, Sandton, Johannesburg.
As per the Discussion Document, ICASA intends making regulations in terms of Section 60(1) and Section 60(2) of the Electronic Communcations Act of 2005. Section 60(1) reads: “Subscription broadcasting services may not acquire exclusive rights that prevent or hinder the free-to-air broadcasting of national sporting events as identified in the public interest from time to time, by the Authority, after consultation with the Minister and the Minister of Sport and in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Authority.”
Section 60(2) reads: “In the event of a dispute arising from subsection (1), any party may notify the Authority of the dispute in writing and such dispute must be resolved on an expedited basis by the Authority in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Authority.”
The hearings come a year after public broadcaster SABC’s much-publicised loss of soccer rights.
