The news:
- South Africa has unveiled the Information, Communication Technologies and Media Regulators Forum, a new collaborative platform uniting four major regulatory bodies in the ICT and media sectors.
- The forum comprises the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the Information Regulator, the Domain Name Authority (ZADNA), and the Film and Publication Board (FPB).
- Its primary aim is to streamline regulation across these sectors by improving cooperation, reducing duplication of efforts, and addressing the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The launch comes as concerns grow about the fragmented nature of ICT regulation in South Africa, which has long struggled with regulatory overlap and coordination issues.
Tshiamo Maluleka-Disemelo, CEO of ICASA, will chair the forum, established in response to the increasing convergence of technology and media, making it crucial for regulators to collaborate on shared goals such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and online safety.
Maluleka-Disemelo emphasised the forum's potential to ensure that regulations remain responsive in the face of ongoing digital transformation. "Our goal is to work together to solve common challenges and explore new opportunities," she said during the launch event.
The forum's key objectives include fostering synergy between the entities, addressing regulatory redundancies, and ensuring a more efficient, responsive framework for managing ICT and media regulations.
ZADNA highlighted the forum's vision for creating a safer and more inclusive digital environment, stressing the need for collaboration to tackle issues like child safety online and the protection of consumers from harmful content.
Establishing the forum comes after several previous attempts to merge various sector regulators into a unified entity.
Earlier initiatives by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) had aimed to create a single "super-regulator" to oversee ICT regulation, but these efforts failed to materialise.
However, the launch of this new forum marks a significant step forward in consolidating the regulatory efforts.
In a joint statement, the participating bodies noted that the forum will help ensure that South Africa remains at the forefront of digital regulation, capable of navigating the complexities of the modern digital age.
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It aims to expand membership, inviting other regulatory entities in the digital economy to join and participate in shaping the future of ICT and media regulation.
The forum is expected to play a critical role as South Africa embraces technological innovations and strives to meet global regulatory standards.