SABC bafana broadcast rights

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 30: The SABC building on June 30, 2009, in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Business Day / Tyrone Arthur)

SABC bans listeners calling into radio shows to mull complaints against ANC

So the state-owned broadcaster that runs on taxpayer’s money for the most part has decided to ban members of the public from calling in to radio shows; because people are being too critical of the ANC.

SABC bafana broadcast rights

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 30: The SABC building on June 30, 2009, in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Business Day / Tyrone Arthur)

In an alleged attempt to put a stop to anti-ANC government callers the SABC has banned open lines on its radio talk shows. The Sunday Times and City Press yesterday reported that the ban comes in the run-up to the local government elections later this year and was ordered by SABC radio manager Leuba Ramakgolo.

According to City Press, the paper got its hands on an email from Ramakgolo saying that this was an editorial decision the radio took and should not be seen as “canning.”

Open lines would be restored after the local government elections, but not before as, according to Metro FM’s Tony Sogolo; these measures are intended to protect the station and SABC from folks who want to use them as a platform for their own benefit.

According to SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, the taxpaying public is being malicious and don’t fully understand the measures taken by the broadcaster.

 “We are saying that, for this period, avoid doing open line if you are not a current affairs show. You are creating a situation where anybody can say anything and that’s when issues of politics are then sneaked in during open line.”

The national broadcaster does, however, want people to call in to current affairs and news-related shows where “journalists equipped to handle the issues” can manage the situation better.

Kganyago added that this isn’t the first time the SABC has done this.

According to the Sunday Times: “Listeners of MetroFM Talk were shocked this week when host Rams Mabote did not invite them to comment on any issue they deemed important.”

Twitter once again became the forum of choice for disgruntled listeners and their comments drew a response from an SABC employee who said that the current affairs show drew a lot of complaints about the ANC.

Another source from within the SABC claims that this was not the first time the national broadcaster tried to censor callers.

“SABC bosses have over the past few months complained about current affairs shows and warned about balance when discussing politics.”