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The recent government proposal that would require TV licences for phones, laptops, and other devices went down like a lead balloon.

They also listed pay-TV operators like MultiChoice that runs DStv, as well as streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax, and others whom they want to force into collecting licence fees on the part of the broadcasting company.

It’s raining lead balloons over here.

While we can’t dismiss the necessity of the SABC, especially for those who rely on it for news and information, it’s tough to ignore the underlying problems that have resulted in this absurd Hail Mary attempt at a solution after years of corruption and mismanagement of funds.

Anyone remember Hlaudi Motsoeneng? He was fun.

The fractured and confusing announcement that the proposal would be put before parliament also didn’t do much to inspire confidence.

To try and clear things up, MyBroadband spoke to SABC Head of TV Licences Sylvia Tladi, who said that a process is underway to review legislation and policy that affects the broadcasting corporation, including the definition of a “television set”.

“What we are asking for is for the definition to be amended so that it can also include other devices that are not traditionally built to look like television sets but are used to receive broadcasting services for content, whatever platforms people use to consume content.”

She then went on to add to the confusion:

“We are not saying that just by virtue of you buying that laptop you are now required to have a TV licence,” she said.

“What we are saying is any device that will enable you to watch broadcasting, whatever it is, will require a TV Licence.”

So, like a laptop?

TimesLIVE also had a word with Tladi, who made at least one decent point:

“I think the past few months into the Covid-19 pandemic was a demonstration of how this country is still depending on the SABC. The amount of content, which is in my view relevant to people’s daily lives, cannot be covered by anybody else…

“If the SABC died, where else are they going to get their information? They can’t afford data. They need the SABC, whether it is radio or TV.”

Tladi says that current legislation is out of touch with the times, and requires reworking to account for the myriad ways that people consume media.

At the same time, the details of how this would be regulated are thin and seemingly ill-thought-out, which is arguably on-trend for the corporation when they’re dealing with money.

Before anyone panics, though, keep in mind that we have a pretty robust system when it comes to changing legislation and regulations.

The proposal will be debated before Parliament, exact definitions have to be ironed out (for example – what constitutes a ‘TV’), and the public will be invited to comment before any of this is becomes law.

In other words, if you want to have your say, keep an eye on the national government website.

The proposal hasn’t been uploaded yet, and probably won’t be for a while, but here’s a handy link to the relevant page.

[source:mybroadband&timeslive]