Lobby groups want Icasa to turn down Gupta-linked Infinity’s licence bid
Lobby groups have called on the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) to reject an application by the Gupta-backed Infinity Media for an Individual Commercial Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting Service Licence. In February, Icasa issued a new invitation for Infinity Media to apply after the regulator had rejected a previous application from the company and others in 2014. Infinity Media owns the former Gupta-owned news network ANN7, which will be dropped from the DStv bouquet in August. Late in 2017, the Gupta-owned Oakbay Investments sold its shareholding in Infinity Media and TNA to Lodidox and management for R450m. Oakbay vendor-financed the deals. Controversial businessman Mzwanele Manyi, a close ally of the Guptas, is the new owner. On Tuesday, The SOS Coalition: Support Our Public Broadcaster and Media Monitoring Africa said it was important to highlight the recent scandals around Infinity Media. "The crisis of state capture that held the attention of this countr...
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