Question NW696 to the Minister of Communications
11 April 2016 - NW696
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) Whether she was informed of the SA Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) decision to ban call-ins on its radio stations; if not, why not; if so, what is her department’s position on the SABC’s decision to ban call-ins on its radio stations; (2) whether the SABC Board was informed of the SABC’s decision to ban call-ins on its radio stations; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
There was no decision to ban call-ins on radio SABC’s stations. The SABC management did not prohibit talk shows hosts from having open lines discussions during programmes. Talk show hosts of religious or sport programmes are subject matter experts and will have open line discussions on relevant religious or sporting matters. At the same time, political discussions can only be dealt with during News and Current affairs programmes where presenters/hosts are skilled to deal with these matters. Therefore, the SABC strives to ensure that political discussions are dealt with on the correct platforms.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
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MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
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