19 May 1999.
The African National Congress (ANC) has studied the Independent Broadcasting Authority's (IBA) distribution of time for Party Electoral Broadcasts (PEBs) and wishes to register its profound dissatisfaction with the allocations.
We are at a loss to understand how the IBA applying its own formula -- which rests on three principles -- could have arrived at the allocations it has published. The IBA formula recognizes
(a)the need to afford each party an equitable share of air-time;
(b)the record of performance of each party during the last elections as reflected in their representation in the legislatures; and
(c)the number of candidates each party is fielding.
Basing ourselves on this formula we have found glaring inconsistencies in the manner in which the IBA has applied it. Thus, for example, parties with as few as two representatives in the National Assembly have been allocated in excess of 50% of the time allocated to the ANC with 255 representatives in the National Assembly. The Democratic Party (DP), with 7 members of parliament in the National Assembly has also been allocated less airtime than a party with a mere two.
The same inconsistency recurs in the allocation of airtime for regional and provincial broadcasters.
It our considered view that regrettably, the IBA has not applied its collective mind to this very important aspect of our electoral process. This lack of diligence could have the unfortunate consequence of disadvantaging some parties which offering an unfair advantage to others.
The ANC has therefore lodged a formal complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the IBA on the matter.
Issued by African National Congress
Elections Media Centre,
Braamfontein.