SA’s free-to-air television stations want to screen news bulletins when fewer people are watching. The SABC — following a similar request by e.tv — wants its licensing conditions to be amended so that it no longer has to air news broadcasts during prime or peak viewing times. DA spokeswoman Phumzile van Damme said on Monday that this would have the effect of "dumbing down" South Africans. "According to a presentation by the SABC at a public hearing last week at the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) on a similar request by e.tv‚ the public broadcaster requested that all free-to-air broadcasters be allowed flexibility to decide whether to air news broadcasts during prime time‚" Van Damme said. "This means that‚ should it be approved by Icasa‚ free-to-air TV stations in SA will no longer be obliged to air news broadcasts during prime time." She said the DA would object to this when Icasa appeared before Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications on Tuesday. "We...
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