Veteran SABC journalist Professor Franz Krüger says government must consider regulations or introducing levies for global big tech firms' operations in South Africa in order to subsidise local media companies, including the public broadcaster.
Krüger was speaking to Parliament's subcommittee on communications interviews for a new SABC board.
In August, local media groups kicked off a process that they hope will prevent big tech companies like Google and Facebook owner, Meta, from being able to continue using original, locally produced content on their platforms for free. This comes after the Competition Commission held hearings on the dominance of big tech firms in South Africa.
Krüger said the analog signal switch-off may well hurt the SABC unless everyone is accounted for in the digital migration. He said the SABC must be bold in making arrangements for internet giants to pay up to local news and media entities.
"We have an interesting example in Australia where regulators have forced platform giants to negotiate payments to publishers and some $150 million flowed into the media economy in that country," said Krüger.
DA MP Diane Kohler asked Krüger for his thoughts on the broadcaster's decision to retrench 621 staff members in 2021, only to release advertisements for 484 freelancers earlier this year.
Krüger said the organisation must be allowed to settle and build the confidence to take the necessary steps to stabilise itself and grow.
"What I would want to see is some very clear perimeters for interaction for the board members and the head of news around coverage. I think it is inevitable that board members will interact, but it should happen in a way that is respectful of editorial leadership," said Krüger.
Theatre and music producer Shadrack Bokaba said South Africa's film industry punches well above its weight in the global sector despite a lack of support from the SABC. He said the regulatory environment needed to provide the SABC with support on its path to recovery.
Bokaba served as CEO of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and later established the National Philharmonic Orchestra. Through this work, he learned that an array of broadcasters had an appetite for choral music.
Journalist and communications practitioner Zolile Zamisa said the SABC board must ensure accountability for past misdeeds by pursuing criminal action against those who hollowed the organisation out.
"The R800 million that was meant for content sat unused. That is very disturbing. There is much interest in the SABC from creators of content. People want to know more about South Africa, but other platforms fill that gap," said Zamisa.
Former SABC board member and former special advisor to the Presidency on communications and liaison, Lumko Mtimde, had to defend his tenure at the broadcaster between 2011 and 2013.
Mtimde served as a SABC board member in that time, chairing the SABC Technology committee and its governance and remuneration committee as a member.
He maintained that the section he belonged to functioned properly, and that this was evidenced in the annual reports of the public service broadcaster between 2011 and 2013.
Asked about his past support for a media tribunal, Mtimde maintained he championed press freedom but advocated for "independent regulation".