The development of a multilingual language policy at the SABC since 1994

Abstract

This article describes the development of a new multilingual broadcasting system within the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), from the 1995 editorial language policy up to and including the adoption of the current (2004) policy. The concept of a multilingual broadcasting system is defined; and an overview of the development of the SABC’s multilingual language mandate is provided. An analysis of the 1995 language policy is conducted, and the management of the policy within the context of broadcasting reforms is investigated. Essentially, the SABC follows a
pragmatic multilingual approach, in an endeavour to find a general language platform without ignoring language diversity, as reflected in the two language policy principles, “shared languages” and “equitable treatment”. The increase in the use of English and its establishment as the anchor language, the downscaling of Afrikaans, and the general handling of multilingualism must be appraised in terms of this context, rather than quantitatively.