BTA, NBB evolve into BOCRA

MBONGENI MGUNI
Staff Writer | Friday March 22, 2013 00:00

 

Workers currently employed by the two bodies will switch to the new organisation, ensuring that there are no job losses, officials have said.Last year, parliamentarians repealed the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Acts replacing them with BOCRA's enabling legislation, the broader Communications Regulatory Authority Act. Prior to the new law, the Telecommunications Act established the Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA), while the Broadcasting Act empowered the National Broadcasting Board (NBB).

On Wednesday, BTA spokesperson, Aaron Nyelesi explained the logic behind BOCRA's establishment. 'These (legislative) changes recognise that modern telecommunications networks/platforms carry voice, data and other ICTs the same way,' he told BusinessWeek. 'Therefore the distinction between voice and data on modern networks is no longer pronounced to warrant separate regulators,' he added. According to Nyelesi, from April 1, BOCRA will assume responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications, internet and ICT, commercial radio and television communications and broadcasting, postal services and related matters.

'BOCRA will inherit all the assets and liabilities of the BTA. It will assume regulation of the telecommunications, broadcasting and postal services and all activities, contracts, licences and processes done under BTA and NBB will continue under BOCRA,' he explained. The latest development follow a contentious passage of the BOCRA's Bill by Parliament and equally heated debate in public, focusing in particular on the extent and depth of the new entity's regulatory powers. Legislators and media watchdogs have said BOCRA's legislation eliminates the globally accepted three-tier standard for broadcasting, being public, private and community. Other commentators fear the new body will over-regulate social media, diminishing freedom of expression.

Transport and Communications Minister, Nonofo Molefhi has previously said BOCRA would pack a bigger punch than both the BTA and NBB. '(BOCRA) will apply punitive measures against regulated suppliers where transgressions may have been committed in particular cases, without much reliance on the courts of law, which may lead sometimes to delayed rulings that may render the sector inefficient if it fails to respond to some of these transgressions on time as some of the cases may demand,' he said in introducing the Bill two years ago.