About this site

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

Independent Media Commission (IMC)

The IMC has a crucial role to play in the 'levelling of the playing fields' in the run-up to the elections. Created by the Multi-Party Negotiating Council, it is responsible for regulating broadcasting and state-financed publications and information services during the election campaign, to ensure the equitable treatment of all political parties. State-financed publications will not be allowed to publish advertisements or reports aimed at promoting the interests of any political party. Independent publications, including newspapers, will also have to comply with certain rules; a clear distinction must be made, for instance, between party political advertising and political reporting.

The IMC is appointed by the state president on the advice of the Transitional Executive Council and consists of no more than seven people; the chairman must be a judge, retired judge, practising advocate, lawyer or magistrate. Two members must have broadcasting experience and one must have experience in the print media.

It will enforce the Independent Media Commission Act and the Electoral Act as far as they relate to broadcasting or state publications, including the prohibition on party election broadcasts and political advertisements on television, and on radio except during the election period; ensure the equitable treatment of political parties on all broadcasts, private or public; set the regulations for election broadcasts on public radio; ensure political parties can exercise a right of reply; and monitor compliance with the Act by private broadcasters who carry election material. The IMC has consider-able powers to ensure the implementation of its code, which includes a stipulation that no party-political broadcasts will be allowed in the 48 hours preceding polling.

IMC members are Mr Justice John Trengove (chair-person), Dr Namane M Magua, Raymond Louw, Willem J de Klerk, Jenny Malan, Zubeida Jaffer and Libby Lloyd.

Tel: (011) 928–1111 or (011) 397–2186

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.