ANC wants parliamentary debates back on TV

Sibusiso Banda

African National Congress is planning on approaching the SABC in reinstating live parliamentary debates broadcast in one of its channels in the afternoon.

ANC caucus resolved to request the public broadcaster show live broadcasts of debates in the National Assembly that were stopped years ago when the SABC started experiencing cash problems.

At the time, the Mail & Guardian had reported that the national treasury gave SABC a bailout in the form of a R1, 47-billion government guarantee, coupled with strict conditions, including turning around the SABC’s finances. A R1-billion draw-down was made immediately available to settle urgent outstanding financial obligations, but the remaining R473-million is still subject to the broadcaster presenting clear revenue targets and cost-cutting measures.

“The SABC must reinstate its live broadcasts of afternoon parliamentary sittings to ensure debates are followed by the majority of South Africans,” reads the resolution.



ANC also wants parliament, which already runs its own Channel on the DStv network,  to set up a free-to-air channel and a radio station, where all the business of the institution – including committee meetings – are broadcast 24 hours a day.

Currently all news organisations tap into the parliamentary channel feed for broadcast of major events and debates but most of the business of Parliament, particularly committee meetings, are not screened.

This move is seen by the Lekgotla as a step central to “effective communication” to parliament’s “ability to continuously interact with and be closer to the people it represents, thereby making it a truly people`s Parliament.”

According to the SABC's annual report presented to Parliament, the broadcaster's share of television audience declined from 57% in 2011-12 to 53% in 2012-13. The trend continued also this year with the RAMS survey placing them at 51%.

“The SABC has been experiencing a rapid decline in television audience share owing it to the new revolution of in the TV landscape, with a host of new competitors entering the market and new channels being launched.” reads the SABC Corporate Plan for Financial Year 2014/15 to 2016/17.