SABC wants you to pay a TV licence for mobile devices
The SABC proposed that people watching their channels on their cell phones, computers and tablets be taxed additionally.
POLOKWANE – Acting CEO of the SABC, James Aguma was briefing the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the SABC’s plans for the 2017/18 financial year, recently.
He proposed that the Broadcasting Act be amended to extend the range of viewing devices to be licensed and to include licencing people viewing TV on a cell phone, tablet or computer.
The SABC is in dire financial straits as a result of a decreasing audience and the resulting loss of advertisers, who contributed hundreds of million Rands towards its income. Both commercial television and radio stations are losing audiences.
It was proposed that the national broadcaster must tighten its TV licence-collection system.
The policy implemented a year ago forcing a 90% local content of music to played on radio and television stations, has cost the broadcaster a lot in revenue, with Aguma estimating the quotas implemented had an impact of R29-million on radio and R183-million on television.
Reaction to the broadcaster’s plan for TV licence fees to be extended to all electronic devices is negative, with broadcasting experts saying the idea is not realistic and they should rather look at increasing their licence collection and look at alternative funding mechanisms.
Here is what some social media users had to say about the proposal.
We'all pay TV license for our phones 📱, laptops 💻 and tabs when these stones become soft #SABC pic.twitter.com/CJhh8IXWId
— Whalen (@Gospel_guru_SA) May 10, 2017
Imagine buying data then having to pay TV cellphone license.
why you wanna do us like this mara #SABC pic.twitter.com/oHnLdH2RUF— Hag O'hags (@MalkiaMpho) May 10, 2017
What nonsense from SABC ! We need to start paying tv licence for our phones an tablets. What a joke
— DEVAN (@dgovender24) May 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/AngelwithanIQ1/status/862619881283497984
DA MP and spokesman on communications Phumzile van Damme said the party will wait for the amendment to the act to be tabled. “In principle we do not support additional taxes to the already overburdened taxpayer.”
What are your thoughts on the proposed bill?
