Radio broadcasting in South Africa

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the transition from minority government to the new non-racial, non-sexist and democratic government, and the transition from apartheid control of the media to a period of dramatic change. On 30 March 1994 an act of parliament brought the Independent Broadcasting Authority into existence, and its work over the past six years has been extensive. This article covers its legal constitution; its aims and objectives; its remit and responsibilities; questions concerning divisions of bimedia and new technology; the IBA Council and its standing committees; and the relationships between licensing, monitoring and advertising. The broad divisions and categories of new radio are in the public, private and community sectors, and matters related to new industrial development, media empowerment and overall regulation are addressed.