If you have set foot in the SABC building in Auckland Park, Johannesburg you might feel a wave of nausea hit you as you land on the realisation that the building has not been improved since the 1970s. Therefore, it reeks of South African apartheid and, well, the actions of those who sit high at the top are definitely influenced by the architecture.

Last week, SABC Radio General Manager Leuba Ramakgolo banned callers from phoning in to voice their opinions on all talk shows within the SABC domain. This is to prevent ill being spoken of the ANC in particular in this sensitive time before local government elections (on that note, please register 4/5 March, thank you).

However, this band is a violation of SABC’s editorial policy, at least according to the DA’s Phumzile van Damme.

The SABC’s decision to ban calls on its radio shows will result in the limitation of varied opinions of on SABC radio shows.

We trust that Icasa will investigate this matter and carry out its constitutional obligation to regulate South Africa’s broadcasting industry.

Listeners were shocked at various stations dropping their calls but now it will be up to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to open a case against the SABC.

[source: ewn]