DStv war between Naspers and Caxton
Caxton wants an inquiry on Naspers's (and MultiChoice's) foreign ownership.
Caxton wants an inquiry on Naspers's (and MultiChoice's) foreign ownership.
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"We are deeply skeptical of Caxton in this inquiry," said Caxton's lawyers
.
"A foreigner may not indirectly or directly exercise control over a commercial broadcasting licensee or have a financial interest or an interest either in voting shares or paid up capital in a commercial broadcasting licensee, exceeding 20% . Not more than 20% of the directors of a commercial broadcasting licensee may be foreigners."
Caxton really should get lawyers with more confidence in their clients
How do one create jobs in an economy with regarded legislation like this?
How do one create jobs in an economy with regarded legislation like this?
How do one create jobs in an economy with regarded legislation like this?
What would your reaction be if the Chinese government controls pay TV in South Africa. Or if Muammar al-Gaddafi bought all the major news papers in South Africa? Would you be happy if governments in the Middle East buys NASPERS and slowly changes programming to suit their ideologies?
The media has a very important role to play in any democracy. That is why you need laws to prevent economic forces subverting it.
Maybe to expand on that ... the US has similar regulations:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/773932.html
...if you are going to make stupid laws, you have to stupidly enforce them, even if your regulatory organisation is less than capable - time to get rid of BEE, it is not in the interest of South African's.
I think the situation is more complex than this. The number one reason you want to restrict ownership of major broadcasters is to prevent undue outside influence. Now your first reaction would be "Does it matter?". But I suppose in your mind you have a Western foreign owner - which does not need to be the case. What would your reaction be if the Chinese government controls pay TV in South Africa. Or if Muammar al-Gaddafi bought all the major news papers in South Africa? Would you be happy if governments in the Middle East buys NASPERS and slowly changes programming to suit their ideologies?
The media has a very important role to play in any democracy. That is why you need laws to prevent economic forces subverting it. That is why people need to oppose the "Protection of Information Act".