BROADCASTING - Communication Minister Jay Naidoo on June 04 released a White Paper on broadcasting policy. Naidoo described the document as historic saying that it would provide South Africa with a set of policy objectives that would underline the first policy framework for broadcasting in the country. He said that the primary objective of this White Paper is to ensure that South Africa is imbued with the important public interest values of access, diversity, equality, independence and fundamental human rights contained in the Constitution. Highlights of the document include proposals for introducing regional television, licensing of more pay television operations and expansion of community radio services. Special mention was made of the importance to nurture and develop a very strong local content programme in South Africa and limit the influence of foreign programmes. Naidoo also indicated that the country is in danger of being overwhelmed by foreign programme content. Apart from licensing activities, the IBA, which was reporting directly to Parliament, will be made to report to the Minister of Communications first. The White Paper also propagates arguments for the merging of IBA and Satra in the 1999 financial year. Furthermore, the IBA is to ensure that political content in the media, during elections be balanced and not discriminate against any political party. But incomprehensibly, the IBA will be required to report this monitoring to the minister who will have direct control over the budget, salaries and policies which the IBA would be required to undertake. It notes that although there has been much change in the industry since 1994, access to broadcasting, whether by service providers or by end users, has not improved sufficiently.

BROADCASTING - The South African Broadcasting Corporation on June 03 appointed its new group chief executive Rev Hawu Mbatha, to take over from Zwelakhe Sisulu at the end of this month. Mbatha, a former presenter of religious programmes on Radio Zulu and former SABC's regional manager in Kwa-Zulu Natal, is currently chief executive of the SABC's radio division. The SABC spokesman Enoch Sithole said "Mbatha was the only chief executive in the history of the SABC who started on the ground and grew through the ranks of the corporation to become chief executive." Sithole added that with the corporation's history, it was better not to have a political appointee leading the SABC. Mbatha accepted his appointment as a vote of confidence by the SABC to continue the good work and remarkable achievements that Sisulu had attained. A report from "Mail & Guardian" on May 05 said that his appointment has stunned many as he trounced favourites who had applied, like SABC programme director Mandla Langa, Sisulu's deputy Govin Reddy and well known academic Professor Njabulo Ndebele. Mbatha commences his duties on July 01.

COMMERCIAL SPEECH - "The Citizen" on May 30 reported that research conducted by the Medical Research Council indicates that the majority of South Africans support a ban on tobacco advertising and regulations controlling smoking in public places. The MRCencouraged the health minister not to be discouraged by tobacco industry lobbyists from effecting the measures favoured by the public, which would put South Africa in line with countries like France, New Zealand and Norway. The statement recommended that such a ban should include tobacco sponsorship and promotion, pointing out that globally tobacco marketing practices were shifting from print advertising to promotional advertising. It also warned that tobacco advertising via sports sponsorship was a powerful way to shape the views of sports audiences, particularly young people towards the use of tobacco.

CONSTITUTION - On June 02, the Bill providing for the final winding up of the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was published. The Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill was introduced by Justice Minister Dullah Omar, following a request by the TRC for a delay in its final report to President Mandela. The original Act setting up the TRC was promulgated in 1995. In 1997, it was amended to extend the life of the Amnesty Committee to June 30 this year. The new Bill provides that the TRC must complete its work by July 31 and submit a report to the president within three months of that date. Secondly, it provides for the Amnesty Committee to continue its functions until a date to be determined by the president. Thirdly, after the TRC has dissolved, all assets would revert to the Department of Justice, with Omar becoming legal successor to the TRC. Fourthly, the President's Fund will continue to exist until a date is fixed by the president, by proclamation in the Government Gazette. The Bill needs to be approved by both Houses of Parliament.

MEDIA DIVERSITY - South Africa's first private television broadcaster, Midi Television, has set aside R5 million to cover legal costs should the planned court action by failed television licence bidders against the IBA succeed. The rival bidders for the lucrative licence earlier indicated that they would question the IBA's decision to grant a television licence to Midi Television. However, the powerful Free to Air consortium has lost the support of Primedia for the court battle, and the industry is speculating that two other shareholders will withdraw their support, but it has the support of some shareholders , including its foreign partners and it is trying to cobble together a front of failed bidders. Although New Channel said that it would not continue the court action because it could not get the majority support from its consortium, some members may join the action which is being spearheaded by Free to Air's Quentin Green. According to the "Mail & Guardian", Free to Air has briefed the best legal brains in the country to proceed with the case.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - The Nigerian government has demonstrated its determination to round up human rights activists, journalists and opposition politicians through a recent series of arrests. A lawyer hired by the Nigerian Environmental Rights Action ( NERA) to secure the bail of one of its staff, was arrested by men suspected to be members of the Nigerian State Security Services. Bamidere Aturu was detained on May 29 when he went to the Surulere police station to seek the release on bail of an ERA activist, Isaac Osuoka, arrested on May 26. Osuoka was arrested solely because he was found in possession of materials denouncing human rights abuses in the Niger Delta. Both detainees had been transferred from the Surulere police station in Lagos to the office of the Lagos State commissioner of police. Human Rights Watch condemned the arrests and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Aturu, Osuoka and other Nigerian political prisoners. Meanwhile, on June 03, "Business Day" reported that Abacha's ruling junta has accused South Africa , Ghana and US for planning to disrupt Nigeria's presidential elections on August 01. President's spokesman Parks Mankahlana denied the claims that the SA government was interfering in Nigeria's domestic affairs. He said that SA track record showed that it would not co-operate with any non-African country to bring another African government into disrepute.