South Africa: Closed consultation on White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Safety including local content requirement

On 8 September 2023, the South African Government closed its consultation on the draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Safety. The White Paper includes high-level policy proposals on regulations and principles to modernise the current legal framework on Audio and Audio-visual Content Services (AAVCS). In particular, the White Paper proposes for the South African Content regulatory framework to apply to all AAVCS including new broadcasting services offered on the public internet and to change the current quota measurement system from “per-channel” to the total bouquet of channels (“multichannel measurement”). “On-demand content services” (OCS) would be subject to South African content obligations which would apply in a graduated manner distinguishing between individual and class licensees and whether the service is public, commercial or community/non-profit in nature and should not exceed 30% of the video catalogue. the South African Content regulatory framework will need to include all AAVCS and not just broadcasting services.