SABC FACES BLACKOUT

If Sentech gives the nod, the SABC faces the possibility of a blackout.

That’s the warning SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli gave during the sitting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies.

She said the reason was due to the SABC’s unpaid debt.

“Because of the legacy debt from Sentech, we are at a point where they have indicated that they will start switching off transmitters,” she said.

This isn’t the first time that a total blackout has been on the horizon for the SABC’s radio and television services. Earlier this year, it was reported by Media Monitoring Africa that the SABC was at risk of a blackout.

Back then, the government defended the SABC.

According to Media Monitoring Africa’s William Bird, Sentech’s signal distribution is one of the most significant costs for the SABC.

In the case of state broadcasters, this cost should be covered by the government.

“It should be something that is covered by the state. However, the SABC is left to carry this enormous bill, and it’s one of the things that makes its model less sustainable,” said Bird.

“The scenario is catastrophic. You have the SABC’s finances plummeting. Yet, you have the government and Parliament failing to do their job.”

Image credit: The Citizen