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Question of the Day: If you were buying a TV today, which brand would you choose?
SABC tax not certain yet
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
Well, considering how everyone here and on news24 is adamant that they never watch SABC, I wouldn't be suprised if advertisers are reluctant to spend money on something no-one's watching
The people who have access to the internet are not the SABC's target market. The people who do not pay taxes are. They have proven that with what they did to 5FM.
Bismuth
Expert Member
As has been stated already, eTV survives on advertising revenue, and they are still around.
How does public tv overseas survive?. The US ones seem to fund-raise quite a bit, but I am not sure what other sources of income they have?.
Quite frankly, if dumping my TV meant not paying this tax, then I would be happy to, but then Multichoice will also be losing out on revenue then.
B
How does public tv overseas survive?. The US ones seem to fund-raise quite a bit, but I am not sure what other sources of income they have?.
Quite frankly, if dumping my TV meant not paying this tax, then I would be happy to, but then Multichoice will also be losing out on revenue then.
B
Quoted
“We also wish to dismiss assertions by some concerned groups that the proposed changes raised in the document would seek to give the Minister of Communications the authority to interfere on editorial policy of the Public Broadcaster. The Minister of Communications understands the importance of independent media that serves as a watchdog for the public and would never seek to undermine this principle.”
That's really ironic considering it happens already.
Regardless of what is being conveyed, Television is not a right, it is a privilege, and at it's best, a form of entertainment.
Educational programming is available but is not nearly as effective as an actual teacher, in a classroom, where questions can be asked and answers to those questions can be heard.
It's referred to as programming because that is exactly what it is. Like a computer programmer and his computer. Tell the computer what to do and it does it.
It holds no constitutional value, does not promote freedom of thought and most definitely does not provide a platform to engage on. It is nothing more than a propaganda machine.
If I am forced to pay for the entertainment pleasures of others I will be sure to find a way to claim those expenses back.... one way or another.
“We also wish to dismiss assertions by some concerned groups that the proposed changes raised in the document would seek to give the Minister of Communications the authority to interfere on editorial policy of the Public Broadcaster. The Minister of Communications understands the importance of independent media that serves as a watchdog for the public and would never seek to undermine this principle.”
That's really ironic considering it happens already.
Regardless of what is being conveyed, Television is not a right, it is a privilege, and at it's best, a form of entertainment.
Educational programming is available but is not nearly as effective as an actual teacher, in a classroom, where questions can be asked and answers to those questions can be heard.
It's referred to as programming because that is exactly what it is. Like a computer programmer and his computer. Tell the computer what to do and it does it.
It holds no constitutional value, does not promote freedom of thought and most definitely does not provide a platform to engage on. It is nothing more than a propaganda machine.
If I am forced to pay for the entertainment pleasures of others I will be sure to find a way to claim those expenses back.... one way or another.
Avenue
Expert Member
_TrXtR_
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I do think there is educational value to this.
We can for our kids get computers and let them play educational games. By the time they get to age 4, they will be counting and reciting the alphabet with ease. But while everyone cannot afford a computer, the television can step in to make a moderate difference, especially for younger children imo.
But without decent funding for good programming, it would be useless.
As much as I am against taxing everyone for SABC's ****. I dont think it's fair to say that it serve's no value. Kids are not in the classroom all the time, and teacher's should definately not be spending more time there considering their employment cirumstances.
I agree. But I would gladly pay an extra 1% tax a year if it would be paying for education value. But it would have to be something very noticeable.
And news programming is also important. SABC's Morning live is good, and probably valueable for those that watch it and have no other means of getting news and live broadcasts of important events.
Cutting TV off from people who cannot afford it is the last thing that should be done. And forcing people to pay should also not be done.
We need a free broadcasting provider. Dont be fooled by internet capable spoilts.
Yes maybe we pay for it with our tax monies. But that's where my agreement with the e-tv fashion of broadcast is worthwhile. Live off of advertising.
Taking television away from people who have nothing else is pretty much like sending them to the dark ages. I think it would cause a bigger revolt than what the 1% raise in taxes would cause.
I'd be scared if we take 'free' television away from the masses. Because us people posting here on the net are the minority.
And yes, I know, the tv-license is not free... but it's quite close.
Maybe closing the SABC's doors wont hurt though.
The reason Etv can survive on advertising is that they probably have a bigger viewer base than SABC. If you want the real news, you watch etv, if you want censored propaganda news, you watch sabc - including morning live.
When last did you see a politician's supposed corruption reported on sabc? Unless of course it was the DA bungle...
Take politics out of sabc and add in education and entertainment, and viewership and advertising revenues and profitability will increase. If government is not capable of doing that, then privatize it!
My 2cents
When last did you see a politician's supposed corruption reported on sabc? Unless of course it was the DA bungle...
Take politics out of sabc and add in education and entertainment, and viewership and advertising revenues and profitability will increase. If government is not capable of doing that, then privatize it!
My 2cents
Lightscribe
Banned
As most have said, make the SABC compete as a private company.
The government is trying to make it a state tool, by making the government it's paymaster.
Government must be removed from all the parasitic businesses that suck the lifeblood out of the economy.
Get those greedy socialist parasites out of the economy!
A quick history lesson on parasitic parastatals... http://www.photius.com/countries/south_africa/economy/south_africa_economy_parastatals.html
The government is trying to make it a state tool, by making the government it's paymaster.
Government must be removed from all the parasitic businesses that suck the lifeblood out of the economy.
Get those greedy socialist parasites out of the economy!
A quick history lesson on parasitic parastatals... http://www.photius.com/countries/south_africa/economy/south_africa_economy_parastatals.html
divv
Senior Member
My vote is for the e-tv pattern or the set-top box route - no pay, no watch!
For those folks saying no tax for those who don't own a TV - great theory but it would never happen - they would tax everyone regardless - and if its 1% of income it could feasibly cost you a huge amount more than DSTV does...
If this goes ahead, I think I will become a full-time student - no point working if everything you earn goes to pay the corrupt...
For those folks saying no tax for those who don't own a TV - great theory but it would never happen - they would tax everyone regardless - and if its 1% of income it could feasibly cost you a huge amount more than DSTV does...
If this goes ahead, I think I will become a full-time student - no point working if everything you earn goes to pay the corrupt...
If the educated and tax paying citizens of this country are planning to remain here, I'm afraid we will have to get used to the fact that we will be paying more and more in taxes. That just is so obvious if you look at all the poor and those on social grants.
Margaret Thatcher was spot on when she said "the problem with socialism is that the money always runs out".
So the only fix is to tax the middle and upper class more. And if (as in SA's case) they cannot manage the funds efficiently then we are in for a really rough ride tax wise and service delivery wise. We need to make the choice whether to stay or go. And it is a really hard chioce, especially for those who cannot just up and go.
Margaret Thatcher was spot on when she said "the problem with socialism is that the money always runs out".
So the only fix is to tax the middle and upper class more. And if (as in SA's case) they cannot manage the funds efficiently then we are in for a really rough ride tax wise and service delivery wise. We need to make the choice whether to stay or go. And it is a really hard chioce, especially for those who cannot just up and go.
divv
Senior Member
If you can't up and go then you don't really have a choice surely??
With all of this I am thinking more and more of it but don't think I'd get in anywhere - my skills are good but not on any of the "desired" lists...
What alot of people I know have done is just go over with a visitor visa (to New Zealand especially - (from there u can eventually go to oz if you get cabin fever) find a job and take it from there.
The legal immigration route on points is really hard unless u the right age, have 3 years degree plus a certain amount of experience. But tons of people bypass this barrier the way I desribed. It's only easy if you are unattached and willing to take the risk tho...
Lightscribe
Banned
Anyone can "just up and go"...When push comes to shove, it's quick and easy.
Anyone could start from scratch, anywhere.
Simply starting your e-commerce/affiliate/referrer type businesses now, will allow anyone that puts a decent amount of work into it, to move anywhere in the world, within 6 months to a year or two.
Make yourself international.
Anyone could start from scratch, anywhere.
Simply starting your e-commerce/affiliate/referrer type businesses now, will allow anyone that puts a decent amount of work into it, to move anywhere in the world, within 6 months to a year or two.
Make yourself international.
Are you referring to going overseas on a business owners visa?
Lightscribe
Banned
Yes, for those that will not qualify on points or the required 200 000GBP to emigrate to the UK, or whatever it is for the various countries.
You merely return here every six months. That way, you travel while you build your businesses. One need not stay put here.
You merely return here every six months. That way, you travel while you build your businesses. One need not stay put here.
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InTheCube
Expert Member
a bit more info please, this sounds interesting
Yes, DO TELL. What is this all about?
Woulndt this whole problem go away with the upcoming conversion to digital TV? No one would be able to watch without a converter of some sort. Doesnt digital tv broadcasting give the ability to "cutt off" an individual that dont pay?
