The future of public service broadcasting in South Africa: the need to return to basic principles
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Authors
Fourie, Pieter J.
Issue Date
2003
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
public service broadcasting (PSB) , South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) , nation building , broadcasting policy , south africa , political transformation
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this article it is argued that should the South African public service broadcaster, the South African
Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), be expected to play a development and nation-building role in
the South African society, as it is mandated to do, then policy makers should return to the basic
principles underlying the philosophy of public service broadcasting. This needs to be done in a
changed media environment characterised by privatisation, internationalisation and digitisation, all
leading to increased competition and commercialisation. The argument is developed against the
background of a discussion on (1) the reasons for the decline of public service broadcasting, (2) the
ways in which public service broadcasters are responding, (3) an overview of the state of public
service broadcasting in South Africa at the time of writing (April 2003), (4) a motivation for why South
Africa needs a strong public service broadcaster and (5) what can be done to secure the future of
public service broadcasting in South Africa. A return to the basic principles of public service
broadcasting as the only way out, is suggested. This would require a complete revision of South
African broadcasting policy.
Description
Citation
Fourie, Pieter J. 2003. 'The future of public service broadcasting in South Africa: the need to return to basic principles.' Communicatio 29(1 & 2): 148-181
Publisher
Unisa Press
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
0250-0167