This came after industry stakeholders, including eMedia, Media Monitoring Africa, and the SOS Public Broadcasting Coalition, moved to block the switch-off in court.

“Had it gone ahead as planned, community broadcasters, E-tv and the SABC would have faced an existential crisis,” the SOS Coalition said at the time.

“In addition, millions of the most vulnerable people living in South Africa would have been denied their constitutional and human rights to access and receive news and information.”

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