[27 February 2026] The DCDT indicated in Parliament on 24 February 2026 that a final National Policy on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services will be gazetted before the end of 31 March 2026.

It has been a long road….

Event Date Calendar (work) days elapsed Notes
First draft published for public comment 9 October 2020
Closing date for submissions 30 November 2020 52 (36)
Extension of closing date 15 February 2021 129 (88)
Public hearings 10 May  – 14 June 2021 248 (169)
Second draft published for public comment 31 July 2023 1 025 (701)
Closing date for submissions 8 September 2023 1 064 (729)
Extension of closing date 9 October 2023 1 095 (749)
Third draft published for public comment 13 July 2025 1 739 (1 187) Ellipsis Overview Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services July 2025
Closing date for submissions 10 August 2025 1 767 (1 207)
Extension of closing date 25 September 2025 1 813 (1 240)
Publication of final policy ? 1968 (1347)

The final policy is likely to include a number of issues for ICASA to research, consult and report back on (i.e. further processes).

As at 27 February 2026.

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[16 December 2025] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has made some of the written submissions received in response to the publication of the draft White Paper in July 2025 available on its website.

The below submissions are highlighted:

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[10 August 2025] The deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday, 25 September 2025.

Draft AAVMS White Paper – Extension of deadline for comments

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[21 July 2025] Ellipsis Overview Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services July 2025

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[13 July 2025] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has published a third version of the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Safety for public comment.

Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services July 2025

The White Paper is open for comment until 10 August 2025. These can be sent by email to fwpsa2025@dcdt.gov.za.

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[24 January 2024] The DCDT is still considering submissions made and has indicated that its plans to finalise the Draft White Paper by the end of March 2024.

Presentation on the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Safety (December 2023)

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[6 September 2023] The deadline for submissions on the draft White Paper has, happily, been extended to Monday, 9 October 2023.

Notice of Extension of Deadlines for Submissions on the Draft AAVCS White Paper

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[31 July 2023] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has published the White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Safety – A New Vision for South Africa for comment:

Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Safety: A New Vision for South Africa (July 2023)

The draft white paper is open for comment until 16h00 on Friday 8 September 2023. Submissions can be sent to WPaavcs2023@dcdt.gov.za

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[12 February 2022] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies will host an online colloquium on the “Draft White Paper on Audio and Audio Visual Content Policy Framework: A new vison for South Africa” on Wednesday 16 February 2022.

Colloquium Programme

Colloquium Presentation

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[12 May 2021] Public hearings on the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual content services policy framework will be held between 10 May and 14 June 2021, the schedule for which can be found below.

DCDT – Media Statement and Schedule of Hearings

Submissions received in response to the draft white paper:

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[7 December 2020] The draft policy was presented to Parliament on 25 November 2020.

DTPS Presentation on Audio and Audio-Visual Content Draft White Paper

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[27 November 2020] The deadline for comments on the draft white paper has been extended to 15 February 2021:

Extension for comments: Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Content Services Policy Framework

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[12 October 2020] The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has published a draft policy framework on audio and audio-visual content services for comment:

Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Content Services Policy Framework: A New Vision for South Africa 2020

The draft white paper is open for comment until 16h00 on 30 November 2020. Submissions can be sent to aacs@dtps.gov.za.

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