SA's media, ICT regulators unite to streamline policies

Four South African regulators have come together to create the Information, Communication Technologies and Media Regulators Forum of South Africa.

The Forum includes the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the Information Regulator, the Domain Name Authority (.ZADNA), and the Film and Publication Board (FPB).

The Forum aims to streamline regulation by enhancing cooperation, minimizing duplicated efforts and tackling challenges caused by the fast-changing digital landscape.

"The creation of the Forum is a direct response to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, where the boundaries between traditional media, information, and communications technologies are increasingly intertwined. The primary aim of the forum is collaboration, and the following objectives further guide it," the regulators said in a joint statement.

Forum important for SA regulation

ICASA CEO, who is also the chairperson of the Forum, Tshiamo Maluleka-Disemelo said that establishing the Forum was an important step in ensuring that South Africa's regulatory landscape remained responsive and effective in the changing digital age.

"This Forum will allow us to work together to solve shared challenges and seize new opportunities," she added.

.ZADNA CEO Molehe Wesi and ICASA CEO Tshiamo Maluleka-Disemelo. (Source: ICASA)

Furthermore, the regulators highlighted the Forum's role in building a streamlined, efficient regulatory environment capable of meeting the challenges posed by technological advancements and digital platforms.

"This collaborative platform is not just a convergence of regulatory bodies, but a testament to our shared vision of building a safer, more inclusive, and progressive digital environment for all South Africans. We recognize that no single entity can address the full spectrum of challenges we face in the digital landscape," .ZADNA added.

The Information Regulator believes that for the regulators to ensure that human rights such as data privacy and access to information are respected and promoted, collaboration is fundamental.

ICASA's digital transformation efforts

ICASA has recently been working on a number of projects to digitally transform the Southern African country.

In August 2024, the regulator released draft regulations for satellite services like SpaceX's Starlink.

In a government gazette, ICASA initiated a consultation on a proposed new licensing framework for satellite services and launched an inquiry to establish a regulatory and licensing framework for these services in the country.

The Draft Regulations on the Use of Satellite Networks by South African Licensees aims to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the rapid advancement of satellite technologies, particularly low-earth orbit (LEO) constellations.

That decision led to the country's Minister of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Solly Malatsi, announcing plans to amend a law mandating that global communication companies must have 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups to operate in the country.

This move by ICASA to partner with other regulators to create the Information, Communication Technologies and Media Regulators Forum of South Africa, seems to be another way for ICASA to further be proactive in digitally transforming the country.

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