Minister's Budget Speech

[Gatecrasher]

Various BuaNews items relating to today's Budget Vote Speech:

Minister supports dissolving of SABC board

"There must be a balance between its public and private funding. A total of 98 percent [of its capital] is private funding from advertising while two percent is from public funds. As government, we want to balance it more in line with how it is done internationally."

Broadcasting Act to be amended - Nyanda

"I have set up a task team, comprising my Department, National Treasury and business turn-around strategists, with a view to effecting the successful functioning of the Public Broadcaster.

"This task team will also look at Sentech's strategic thrust going forward and advise me accordingly," the minister said

Broadcasting Digital Migration process on track - Min

"While we recognise the complexity of the digital migration process, significant progress has been made to meet the 1 November 2011 analogue switch-off date,"

SA telecommunication costs still high

"I will be appointing an independent panel of experts, whose recommendations will assist me to design appropriate interventions to address the costs of communicating effectively.

"We will also continue to develop policies which will contribute to, among other things, reducing the costs to communicate," he said.

ICT sector must respond appropriately to economic recession

"I believe that the time has come to outline the country's long-term vision for the sector; to direct future interventions by all spheres of government and relevant role-players; and to provide policy certainty for the industry and investors.

"We will therefore develop an Integrated National ICT Policy Framework, which will be ready by the end of the financial year," he said.