UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
College of Law
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
Assignment 2 Semester 1, 2026
Module Code: CML1501
Assignment: Assignment 2 (Semester 1)
Due Date: 31 March 2026
Institution: University of South Africa (UNISA)
Department: Department of Criminal and Procedural Law
Total Marks: 80
Submitted in partial ful
lment of the requirements
for CML1501 at the University of South Africa.
The law must protect expression and privacy in equal measure.
,UNISA | CML1501 Media Law Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
Contents
1 Question 1 (10 marks) Exceptions for Obtaining Information About Children
Under POPIA 2
1.1 1.1 Background: Special Protection for Children's Personal Information . . . . . 2
1.2 1.2 The Exceptions Under Section 34 of POPIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2.1 1.2.1 Consent by a Competent Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2.2 1.2.2 Processing Necessary for Establishment, Exercise, or Defence of a Right
or Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2.3 1.2.3 Processing Necessary to Comply with an Obligation of International
Public Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2.4 1.2.4 Processing for Historical, Statistical, or Research Purposes . . . . . 4
1.3 1.3 The Role of the Information Regulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Question 2 (20 marks) Print Media SA v DHA and FPB : Sections 16, 16(2)(a),
and 24A(2)(a) 6
2.1 2.1 Introduction to the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 2.2 The Relevant Statutory Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2.1 2.2.1 Section 16 of the Films and Publications Act . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.2 2.2.2 Section 16(2)(a): The Newspaper Exemption . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.3 2.2.3 Section 24A(2)(a): The Online Content Exemption . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 2.3 The Constitutional Court's Findings and Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3.1 2.3.1 The Prior Restraint Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3.2 2.3.2 The Inadequacy of the Exemption Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3.3 2.3.3 The Declaration of Constitutional Invalidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 2.4 The Exemptions Under Sections 16(2)(a) and 24A(2)(a): Analysis . . . . . . 9
2.5 2.5 Signi
cance of the Judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3 Question 3 (10 marks) Qualities of Members of the SABC Board 10
3.1 3.1 Statutory Framework: The Broadcasting Act and the SABC Board . . . . . 10
3.2 3.2 Qualities and Quali
cations Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.1 3.2.1 Broad Representation and Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.2 3.2.2 Knowledge and Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.3 3.2.3 Independence and Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2.4 3.2.4 Disquali
cations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 3.3 Appointment Process and Its Role in Ensuring Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Page 1 of 24
,UNISA | CML1501 Media Law Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
4 Question 4 (20 marks) The Three-Tier Broadcasting Framework 13
4.1 4.1 Introduction and Legislative Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2 4.2 Tier One: Public Broadcasting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2.1 4.2.1 De
nition and Mandate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2.2 4.2.2 Funding and Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2.3 4.2.3 Regulatory Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3 4.3 Tier Two: Commercial Broadcasting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3.1 4.3.1 De
nition and Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3.2 4.3.2 Licensing and Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.3.3 4.3.3 Market Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.4 4.4 Tier Three: Community Broadcasting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.4.1 4.4.1 De
nition and Distinguishing Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.4.2 4.4.2 Funding and Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.5 4.5 Comparative Overview of the Three-Tier Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5 Question 5 (20 marks total) The Press Council of South Africa and the Press
Ombud 18
5.1 5(a) Powers and Functions of the Press Council of South Africa (10 marks) . . . 18
5.1.1 5(a).1 Introduction and Constitutional Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1.2 5(a).2 Setting and Administering the Press Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1.3 5(a).3 Adjudicating Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1.4 5(a).4 Imposing Sanctions and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1.5 5(a).5 Training, Promotion of Ethical Journalism, and Public Engagement 19
5.1.6 5(a).6 Maintaining the Exemption from State Regulation . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2 5(b) Functions of the Press Ombud (10 marks) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2.1 5(b).1 The O
ce of the Press Ombud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2.2 5(b).2 Receiving and Screening Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2.3 5(b).3 Facilitating Conciliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.4 5(b).4 Formal Adjudication of Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.5 5(b).5 Issuing Rulings and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.6 5(b).6 Relationship with the Appeals Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reference List 23
Page 2 of 24
, UNISA | CML1501 Media Law Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
Question 1 (10 marks) Exceptions for Obtaining Information About Children
Under POPIA
Question: The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) governs the processing of
personal data entered into a record by or on behalf of a responsible party using automated
or non-automated methods. What are the exceptions in obtaining information of children in
terms of the POPI? Explain your answer.
1.1 Background: Special Protection for Children's Personal Information
The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) treats personal information
relating to children as a special category that demands heightened protection. A child under
POPIA is de
ned as a person under the age of 18 years who does not have legal capacity to
consent to any action or decision being taken in respect of any matter concerning him or her
(POPIA, s 1).
The general rule is found in section 34 of POPIA, which prohibits the processing of personal
information concerning a child outright (POPIA, s 34(1)). This is a stronger default prohibi-
tion than what applies to ordinary personal information, re
ecting the legislature's recogni-
tion that children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation through the misuse of their data
(Roos, 2006).
Quality Assurance
The processing of children's personal information is prohibited by default. A re-
sponsible party must identify a recognised exception before any processing of a child's
data can be considered lawful. The burden of establishing the exception rests on the
responsible party.
1.2 The Exceptions Under Section 34 of POPIA
Section 34(2) of POPIA lists the circumstances under which a responsible party may lawfully
process personal information concerning a child. These exceptions are narrow and must be
interpreted strictly (Taddeo, 2018).
Page 3 of 24
College of Law
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
Assignment 2 Semester 1, 2026
Module Code: CML1501
Assignment: Assignment 2 (Semester 1)
Due Date: 31 March 2026
Institution: University of South Africa (UNISA)
Department: Department of Criminal and Procedural Law
Total Marks: 80
Submitted in partial ful
lment of the requirements
for CML1501 at the University of South Africa.
The law must protect expression and privacy in equal measure.
,UNISA | CML1501 Media Law Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
Contents
1 Question 1 (10 marks) Exceptions for Obtaining Information About Children
Under POPIA 2
1.1 1.1 Background: Special Protection for Children's Personal Information . . . . . 2
1.2 1.2 The Exceptions Under Section 34 of POPIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2.1 1.2.1 Consent by a Competent Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2.2 1.2.2 Processing Necessary for Establishment, Exercise, or Defence of a Right
or Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2.3 1.2.3 Processing Necessary to Comply with an Obligation of International
Public Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2.4 1.2.4 Processing for Historical, Statistical, or Research Purposes . . . . . 4
1.3 1.3 The Role of the Information Regulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Question 2 (20 marks) Print Media SA v DHA and FPB : Sections 16, 16(2)(a),
and 24A(2)(a) 6
2.1 2.1 Introduction to the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 2.2 The Relevant Statutory Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2.1 2.2.1 Section 16 of the Films and Publications Act . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.2 2.2.2 Section 16(2)(a): The Newspaper Exemption . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.3 2.2.3 Section 24A(2)(a): The Online Content Exemption . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 2.3 The Constitutional Court's Findings and Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3.1 2.3.1 The Prior Restraint Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3.2 2.3.2 The Inadequacy of the Exemption Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3.3 2.3.3 The Declaration of Constitutional Invalidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 2.4 The Exemptions Under Sections 16(2)(a) and 24A(2)(a): Analysis . . . . . . 9
2.5 2.5 Signi
cance of the Judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3 Question 3 (10 marks) Qualities of Members of the SABC Board 10
3.1 3.1 Statutory Framework: The Broadcasting Act and the SABC Board . . . . . 10
3.2 3.2 Qualities and Quali
cations Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.1 3.2.1 Broad Representation and Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.2 3.2.2 Knowledge and Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.3 3.2.3 Independence and Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2.4 3.2.4 Disquali
cations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 3.3 Appointment Process and Its Role in Ensuring Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Page 1 of 24
,UNISA | CML1501 Media Law Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
4 Question 4 (20 marks) The Three-Tier Broadcasting Framework 13
4.1 4.1 Introduction and Legislative Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2 4.2 Tier One: Public Broadcasting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2.1 4.2.1 De
nition and Mandate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2.2 4.2.2 Funding and Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2.3 4.2.3 Regulatory Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3 4.3 Tier Two: Commercial Broadcasting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3.1 4.3.1 De
nition and Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3.2 4.3.2 Licensing and Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.3.3 4.3.3 Market Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.4 4.4 Tier Three: Community Broadcasting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.4.1 4.4.1 De
nition and Distinguishing Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.4.2 4.4.2 Funding and Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.5 4.5 Comparative Overview of the Three-Tier Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5 Question 5 (20 marks total) The Press Council of South Africa and the Press
Ombud 18
5.1 5(a) Powers and Functions of the Press Council of South Africa (10 marks) . . . 18
5.1.1 5(a).1 Introduction and Constitutional Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1.2 5(a).2 Setting and Administering the Press Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1.3 5(a).3 Adjudicating Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1.4 5(a).4 Imposing Sanctions and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1.5 5(a).5 Training, Promotion of Ethical Journalism, and Public Engagement 19
5.1.6 5(a).6 Maintaining the Exemption from State Regulation . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2 5(b) Functions of the Press Ombud (10 marks) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2.1 5(b).1 The O
ce of the Press Ombud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2.2 5(b).2 Receiving and Screening Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.2.3 5(b).3 Facilitating Conciliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.4 5(b).4 Formal Adjudication of Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.5 5(b).5 Issuing Rulings and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2.6 5(b).6 Relationship with the Appeals Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reference List 23
Page 2 of 24
, UNISA | CML1501 Media Law Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
Question 1 (10 marks) Exceptions for Obtaining Information About Children
Under POPIA
Question: The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) governs the processing of
personal data entered into a record by or on behalf of a responsible party using automated
or non-automated methods. What are the exceptions in obtaining information of children in
terms of the POPI? Explain your answer.
1.1 Background: Special Protection for Children's Personal Information
The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) treats personal information
relating to children as a special category that demands heightened protection. A child under
POPIA is de
ned as a person under the age of 18 years who does not have legal capacity to
consent to any action or decision being taken in respect of any matter concerning him or her
(POPIA, s 1).
The general rule is found in section 34 of POPIA, which prohibits the processing of personal
information concerning a child outright (POPIA, s 34(1)). This is a stronger default prohibi-
tion than what applies to ordinary personal information, re
ecting the legislature's recogni-
tion that children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation through the misuse of their data
(Roos, 2006).
Quality Assurance
The processing of children's personal information is prohibited by default. A re-
sponsible party must identify a recognised exception before any processing of a child's
data can be considered lawful. The burden of establishing the exception rests on the
responsible party.
1.2 The Exceptions Under Section 34 of POPIA
Section 34(2) of POPIA lists the circumstances under which a responsible party may lawfully
process personal information concerning a child. These exceptions are narrow and must be
interpreted strictly (Taddeo, 2018).
Page 3 of 24
