Botswana Broadcasting Act repealed

GOVERNMENT

By John Churu, Gaborone, Botswana

The Botswana Parliament has effectively repealed the Broadcasting Act of 1998 following enactment of the Communications Regulatory Authority Act which provides for, among others, Licensing and Broadcasting.

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the repeal would provide for necessary transitional provisions, which would ensure that where necessary, the new act rested on the foundation of the repealed act’s precedent.

Masisi said transitional provisions included that existing subsidiary legislation made under the repealed act shall continue to be of force and effect as if made under the provisions of the Communications Regulatory Authority act until such time as they may be amended or reworked under the Act.

These provisions, according to the minister, also provide that licenses issued under the repealed Act shall be valid until the expiry date where-upon the licences shall apply under the Communications Regulatory Authority for a new license.

Parliament agreed that any other pending enquiry of proceedings under the repealed act shall be determined in accordance with the procedure in place before the new Act commences.