SA Slams Parliamentary Committee Chairperson Khusela Diko’s Call for Podcast Sector To Be Regulated

• The Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications, Khusela Diko, has called for the podcast industry to be regulated in South Africa
• This was after controversial podcaster MacG was slammed for his negative comments on Minenhle Dlamini's genitalia
• Diko said it is important that the government's legislation responds to the challenges MacG's backlash highlighted, and many South Africans slammed her comments

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliament and Parliamentary committees, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

JOHANNESBURG — The Portfolio Committee on Communication chairperson Khusela Diko's call for podcasts to be regulated was not well received by South Africans. Her statements come after Podcast and Chill host MacGyver 'MacG' Mukwevho commented on Minenhle Dlamini's private parts.

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Committee chairperson comments on regulation

According to SABC News, Diko said that many of the country's laws are outdated and that there is need for institutions that will be established as watchdogs over podcasts. She said victims of hate speech on podcasts do not have channels to lodge formal complaints.

Diko said the country must have ways that are accessible to those who want to raise issues with podcasts. She said recently, citizens have gone to court to fight against defamation or hate speech, and noted that not everyone can afford litigation. The chairperson said the question of expanding podcasts to broadcasting would require the law to be introduced into the conversation.

Diko added that the backlash MacG faced highlighted the need to address issues raised by the podcasting industry. MacG received backlash when he commented on Dlamino's love life and why he believes she allegedly struggles to maintain relationships.

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What you need to know about the MacG and Minnie saga

• Veteran radio personality Penny Lebyane slammed MacG for the comments he made about Dlaminmi and called him disgusting
• TV channel Moja Love released a statement and addressed MacG's remarks, slamming him and accusing him of not respecting Dlamini
• Dlamini's fans trolled MacG and co-host Sol Phenduka at an event where they were hired as DJs
• Multichoice distanced itself from MacG's remarks about Dlamini and issued a statement in response
• Steve Letsike, the deputy minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, said MacG would be summoned before Parliament to account for his statements

South Africans slam regulation statements

Netizens weighing in on SABC News' Facebook post were unhappy with Diko's statement.

Mvuselelo Dule said:

"Government is failing to regulate the taxi industry where they can make money. They would rather run after an individual that they didn't sponsor."

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Mpho Casrol Malakoane said:

"The South African government is failing its people. There are more pressing and important issues that need attention, and this is not one of them."

Muyanalo John said:

"In our parliament, there is no committee for potholes and no real focus on basic service delivery."

Nhlanghla Womfana Mnisi asked:

"Where was the same committee when Minnie insulted Khune, or is it permitted for ladies to insult men about their private parts?"

MacG speaks up after Minnie Dlamini backlash

In a related article, Briefly News reported that MacG broke his silence after facing public criticism for his comments about Dlamini. MacG defended his statements.

MacG said the content the podcast does is controversy. He said podcasts could not be held to broadcasting standards and called them hypocrites fornot calling them out for more controversial statements made on the podcast.

Source: Briefly News