By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Constitutional Court ruling is expected to decide on the appeal of a High Court decision challenging the department’s readiness to cut off analogue signal.
Broadcaster Etv approached the ConCourt on an urgent basis to appeal the High Court ruling that deferred the switch-off deadline from 31 March to 30 June.
Etv, joined by the SOS Coalition, Media Monitoring Africa and now the #SaveFreeTV campaign, is looking to the ConCourt to delay the ASO deadline.
South Africa’s first and only privately-owned free-to-air television station argues that a delay will give sufficient time to complete set-top box (STB) installations for qualifying households, to still enjoy free-to-air TV channels and access to vital news and information.
Government has undertaken to assist indigent households that applied for STBs, which are required to convert digital broadcasting signals on analogue TV sets. Qualifying households − those with an income of R3 500 per month or less – are required to register for these devices at their nearest SA Post Office branch.
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Video Courtesy of ENCA.