SOSCoalition

SOSCoalition Strengthening public service broadcasting in South Africa Initially SOS concentrated exclusively on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

A network of member organisations that fight for the strengthening of quality citizen-orientated public broadcasting in the public interest. At that point it was called the "Save our SABC" Campaign. Now it also looks at ways to strengthen the community media sector.

Every Wednesday, starting with today, we’ll be running our 'Did You Know campaign', unpacking key issues affecting publi...
13/08/2025

Every Wednesday, starting with today, we’ll be running our 'Did You Know campaign', unpacking key issues affecting public broadcasting in South Africa. This week, we focus on the SABC’s senior news editor role and the surprising requirement for State Security Agency vetting before appointment.

Today, we honour uTata Nelson Mandela’s legacy by reaffirming our commitment to freedom of expression, access to informa...
18/07/2025

Today, we honour uTata Nelson Mandela’s legacy by reaffirming our commitment to freedom of expression, access to information, and a media that serves the people.

At SOS Coalition, we believe that public service media must operate independently while being accountable to the public for the delivery of local public interest content.

On this Mandela day we call on the Speaker of the National Assembly to advance the public broadcaster’s legislative process by formally gazetting the SABC Bill.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)’s Special Rapporteur (SR) on Freedom of Expression and Acces...
16/07/2025

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)’s Special Rapporteur (SR) on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo has begun the implementation of Resolution 620, 630 and 631. These Resolutions aim to develop African digital rights instruments for freedom of expression, access to information and information integrity solutions.

SOS is leading Resolution 631, which is aimed at working towards the assessment of public service content in this digital era and developing guidelines to ensure a public interest element for all platforms operating in Africa.

We would be very pleased to get your input on these Resolutions, kindly scan the QR code.

Over the past few months, SOS has continued to raise awareness about the importance of freely accessible, independent pu...
14/07/2025

Over the past few months, SOS has continued to raise awareness about the importance of freely accessible, independent public service media particularly as the country anticipates the determination of a new analogue switch-off (A*O) date. Through public workshops, media engagements and community dialogues, SOS has worked tirelessly raise awareness about the Broadcast Digital Migration (BDM) process with the aim of enlighteningcommunities, keeping them informed and getting them to a state of readiness ahead of the A*O. This work contributes to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital migration, especially low-income and rural households.

To read more on our work find our Q2 newsletter here: https://bit.ly/4lQWiWN

Stay tuned on all our work by subscribing to our mailing list here: https://bit.ly/4iQJC0a

New media statement: Civil society organisations call for the gazetting of the SABC Bill withdrawalThe SOS Support Publi...
11/07/2025

New media statement: Civil society organisations call for the gazetting of the SABC Bill withdrawal

The SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), and the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) reiterate their deep concern over the ongoing delay in formally gazetting the withdrawal of the South African Broadcasting Corporations (SABC) Bill, despite the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, having officially withdrawn the Bill in November 2024 in accordance with Rule 334 of the National Assembly (NA) Rules.

Read the statement here: https://bit.ly/4kv9rUo

New opinion piece: SABC Bill withdrawal crisis and South Africa’s public broadcasting futureOn 10 November 2024, the Min...
08/07/2025

New opinion piece: SABC Bill withdrawal crisis and South Africa’s public broadcasting future

On 10 November 2024, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Solly Malatsi, withdrew the SABC Bill in terms of Rule 334 of the National Assembly (NA) Rules, following sustained pressure from civil society organisations, including the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), and various broadcasters. In line with Rule 277(3), the Speaker of the NA was required to formally gazette this withdrawal. Six months later, this has yet to happen.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3Gz1FuE

New media statement: Civil Society Organisations Call for the Publication of the Draft White PaperOn Friday, the SOS Sup...
05/07/2025

New media statement: Civil Society Organisations Call for the Publication of the Draft White Paper

On Friday, the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), together with Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE), the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), Cape Town TV (CTV), the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), the Independent Producers Organisation (IPO), and Animation South Africa (ASA), wrote to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). The organisations reiterated their concern about the continued delay in publishing the third iteration of the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Safety.

Read more here:
https://bit.ly/40Dq1tY

The SOS Coalition, in partnership with the Right2Know Campaign (R2K), hosted a community workshop in Sebokeng Extension ...
27/06/2025

The SOS Coalition, in partnership with the Right2Know Campaign (R2K), hosted a community workshop in Sebokeng Extension 15 to raise awareness about the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) process. The session aimed to educate residents about their right to access information and the potential impact the digital migration, particularly a premature analogue switch-off (A*O), may have on those rights.

It was deeply concerning to learn how many elderly community members have yet to receive their set-top boxes (STBs). We call on the government to urgently accelerate the rollout to ensure that no one is left behind in the shift to digital broadcasting. Access to information is a fundamental right that digital migration must not undermine.

As we wrap up , we remember the sacrifices and bravery of the youth of 1976. They fought for educational freedom. Toda...
27/06/2025

As we wrap up , we remember the sacrifices and bravery of the youth of 1976. They fought for educational freedom. Today’s youth must fight for information freedom.

SOS Coalition invites all young people to become media activists:
- Advocate a more effective SABC
- Demand accountability and media freedom
- Build community-driven media spaces

Public service media belongs to YOU.

Join us tomorrow, 26 June 2025, for a community workshop aimed at raising awareness about the Broadcasting Digital Migra...
25/06/2025

Join us tomorrow, 26 June 2025, for a community workshop aimed at raising awareness about the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) process with a particular focus on the Analogue Switch-Off (A*O) and its impact on people's rights. This session will empower communities with the information they need to understand and navigate the transition.

*O

This , we honour the bravery of the youth who stood up for their rights in 1976 and remind ourselves that access to cre...
25/06/2025

This , we honour the bravery of the youth who stood up for their rights in 1976 and remind ourselves that access to credible information is a right too!
Public service media (the SABC) empowers all citizens, particularly the youth with knowledge that educates, informs, entertains and inspires action. The SOS Coalition advocates for credible and independent news and information that is freely accessible to ALL South Africans especially the youth.

On 19 June 2025, the SOS Coalition held a community workshop in Alexandra township to assist qualifying households with ...
25/06/2025

On 19 June 2025, the SOS Coalition held a community workshop in Alexandra township to assist qualifying households with registrations for government-sponsored set-top boxes. This initiative forms part of the Coalition’s broader public education campaign to raise awareness and educate the public about the Analogue Switch-Off (A*O) and the Broadcast Digital Migration (BDM) process.

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