The SABC on Friday said the payment of television licences remained in force, for now, as a new bill seeking to abolish TV licences was published for comment.

“The bill is currently a discussion document which still has to go through a public consultation process and various legislative processes before it becomes law,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

The draft Public Service Broadcasting Bill sought, among other things, to abolish TV licences and secure the SABC’s funding from other sources.

It is intended to align the broadcasting system with the country’s development goals. The wide-ranging bill provides, among other things, for the establishment of a public service broadcasting fund to provide revenue for public service broadcasting.

It further provides for an international broadcasting services division within the SABC, the revision of the composition of the corporation’s board, and a performance management system for the board.

It also outlines the mandate of the signal distribution company Sentech as the common carrier.

The bill also provides for charters for the SABC and community broadcasting services.  — Sapa

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