Public left out of DTT dialogue

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 07 Apr 2008

South Africans are being left out of the digital migration dialogue, with attention only given to the business side of the migration process, says the Universal Service and Access Agency (USAASA).

This is despite the fact that the country is fast approaching the November digital switch-on deadline that will see at least 56% of the country receive a digital signal, the government agency says.

"The current focus of dialogue seems to be on the manufacturing of set-top boxes," says USAASA CEO James Theledi.

"An education campaign is lacking, and our concern is the end-users - the public - are not being informed."

Broadcasters also need clarity on what their role will be in educating the public, he says.

Government also needs to hold discussions with the public at local level, and consider issues of local content and ensuring diversity, he adds.

Department of Communications (DOC) spokesman Albi Modise says government is aware citizens need to be educated about DTT as soon as possible.

That is why the DOC is planning an interim awareness campaign, while it finalises terms of reference for the tender for the big, three-year awareness campaign, he says.

"We don't want to wait too long to start talking to people, because the gap provides opportunity for people to hear erroneous information from the ill-informed," he notes.

Modise says the strategy for the interim campaign has already been finalised and will be handed to the Digital Dzonga, the project management office (PMO) set up to implement DTT.

SABC GM for legal and regulatory affairs Lara Kantor is the only officer within the PMO. However, Modise notes that the DOC has issued an advertisement inviting members of the public to nominate board members for the Dzonga.

Government is going to use all types of media, and develop specific messages that touch on the diverse population of SA, he says.

The interim campaign will also ensure special interest groups such as the poor, disabled, youth and women are represented, he adds.

State entity Sentech previously noted that it is well on track to provide DTT coverage to 56% of the country's population by the end of the year.