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.

08/10/2025

Media statement: SOS hosted yet another successful public service media symposium.

The SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), successfully hosted its second Annual Public Service Media Symposium on Friday, 3 October 2025, at the Southern Sun in Sandton.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4pPAsFU

02/10/2025

We’re thrilled to be hosting you tomorrow at the Annual Public Service Media Symposium!

The purpose of the symposium is to deepen understanding of the current state of PSM in South Africa and identify internal and environmental challenges in a bid to strengthen its role amid the evolving digital media environment.

Here’s a look at our amazing panelists and session lineup for the day.

We can’t wait to see you there and engage in these important conversations together

Date: 03 October 2025
Time: 08:30 – 16:30
Location: Southern Sun Sandton

29/09/2025

We are proud to announce that we have partnered with Konard-Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for the Annual Public Service Media Symposium.

The purpose of the symposium is to deepen understanding of the current state of PSM in South Africa along with key defining internal and environmental challenges in a bid to strengthen its role amid the evolving digital media environment.

We invite you to be part of this important conversation as we work towards ensuring that PSM remains relevant, sustainable, and resilient in serving all South Africans.

Date: 03 October 2025
Time: 08:00 – 16:00
Location: Southern Sun Sandton
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/uNr78U8E5bGMCBvw9

10/09/2025

We are excited to announce the return of our Annual Public Service Media (PSM) Symposium on 3 October 2025!

Launched last year, the symposium was created as a platform to reflect on the state of PSM, ensuring that, despite the rapid rise of digital media, it remains central to public discourse.

This year’s event will include thought provoking engagements aimed at encouraging policy and law makers to develop forward-looking policy and legislation that will ensure the long-term sustainability and relevance of PSM.

Save the Date: 3 October 2025

More details are coming soon

19/08/2025

SOS Coalition, in partnership with R2K, hosted a follow-up workshop in Sebokeng, Extension 15, as part of our ongoing initiative to educate the public about the broadcast digital migration. The aim is to ensure communities understand how this migration will affect them and their access to information.

At this workshop, with 100 people in attendance, we assisted those qualifying as indigent to register for their set-top boxes. However, we were deeply concerned to learn that some residents, many of them elderly, had registered as far back as 2022 and are still waiting to receive their devices.

We strongly urge the government to expedite the roll-out of set-top boxes to ensure that all South Africans remain connected and informed.

18/08/2025

The SOS Coalition, in partnership with the West Africa Youth IGF, is hosting a webinar on the future of public service content online. Join us for an engaging and insightful conversation.

🗓️: 27 August 2025
⏰: 12:00 UTC/ 14:00 CAT

Register here:
https://bit.ly/4oGGM1Y

14/08/2025

🗓️ Save the Date!

We are excited to announce that the Annual Public Service Media Symposium is happening on 12 of September 2025.

Mark your calendars and join us for an insightful discussion on how to advance public service media in South Africa.

More details are coming soon, but for now, lock in the date!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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Johannesburg
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