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LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY ENVIRONMENT
The transformation of broadcasting in South Africa from the state controlled apartheid system to an independently regulated sector underpinned by the constitutional imperative of freedom of expression began even before the 1994 democratic elections, with the promulgation of the Independent Broadcasting Act and the appointment of a publicly nominated board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in 1993. -
BACKGROUND TO THE POLICY REVIEW
In 1994, South Africa developed separate frameworks for the telecommunications, broadcasting and postal sectors. The policy frameworks adopted assisted the country to begin transforming the communications sector, and, for example, provided for universal service and access to information and communications technologies. -
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION.
The 1996 white paper telecommunications policy sets out specific policy objectives in relation to 10 main areas: telecommunications and development in South Africa: Market structure in the disadvantaged South Africa: regulation of the telecommunication sector and tariff setting; the equipment supply industry; human resource for the sector; region and international co-operation; and legislative reform. -
BROADCASTING SERVICES
The 1998 White Paper on Broadcasting Policy set policy objectives that would drive the development of the South African broadcasting system. The broadcasting environment is regulated in order to safeguard public interest, transform the sector so that collectively viewed it is owned and managed by people from all South African backgrounds, to ensure the viability of the private and public broadcasting sectors, to provide for content diversity of voice and choice for audiences. -
POSTAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES AND CONTENT
The 1998 White Paper identified postal services as the most basic and common means by which messages can be communicated and goods delivered. It stated that postal services are a basic link serving the entire population. The postal services also serve as an important medium of communications for business and commerce. The Government committed to facilitating the growth and development of the sector and to ensuring the provision of universal and affordable postal services to all South Africans. -
DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICES; E-SERVICES AND CYBER SECURITY
The 1999 Green Paper on e-Commerce and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) of 2002 highlighted the major areas of legislative and policy interventions in respect of e- commerce, cybercrime and cyber- security. The ECTA further provided for the development of a three-year national e-strategy covering issues such as e-government services, roles and responsibilities, coordination, monitoring and implementation of the national e-strategy, research and development. -
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT FOR E-COMMERCE
In South Africa, e-commerce policy started in 2000, when the government published the Green Paper on e-commerce. The Green Paper was aimed at building trust and confidence in the security and privacy of transactions performed electronically. In addition, the Green Paper sought to enhance the information infrastructure for electronic commerce; establish rules that would govern electronic commerce and finally, bring the opportunities of e-commerce to ordinary South Africans. -
E-EDUCATION
The 2004 White Paper on e-Education confirmed the availability of USF subsidies to achieve the discounted e-rate. In January 2005, the Minister of Communications confirmed a 50% discount on Internet connectivity costs for schools. This 2004 document stresses the need for the integration of ICT into learning and teaching, and called for the creation of a ministerial e-education advisory council. -
THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ICT
The electronic communication ICT came into effect in 2005 replacing the vertical licenses with a horizontal licensing scheme that separate infrastructure licenses from electronic services licenses. The independent communications authority of South Africa (ICASA) was required to convert the licenses. This change was meant to open-up the market to new entrants and to introduce pro competition. -
IDENTIFY THEFT
Identity theft is very high in South Africa. The South African Fraud Prevention Service reported in 2008 that identity theft in South Africa could exceed R1 billion in annual losses, as the use of the internet rises, new forms of identity theft have emerged. Consumers' financial records can be highly impacted on by persons who steal personal information through the use of computers and other devices. -
CYBER-SECURITY
A draft cyber-security policy was published in May, 2011. The policy was developed under the DoC, but responsibility has now shifted to the State Security Agency. Today, the policy and implementation process related to the overall security framework is led by the State Security Agency. The redrafted policy was approved by Cabinet with the overall responsibility being given to the State Security Agency. -
NATIONAL INTERGRATED ICT GREEN PAPER POLICY
The policy review of national integrated ICT policy green paper was published on 24 January 2014, and finally the national ICT policy green paper essentially asks questions on how the future policy framework can ensure that the country is able to meet its objectives and reap the full benefits of convergence, with the aim of bridging the digital divide.
