In a move likely to spark debate across South Africa, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has voiced significant concerns over the unregulated podcast sector, arguing that it is damaging the moral fabric of society. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Mbalula insisted that the content proliferated by these platforms is not only provocative but poses a risk to the younger generation who may be influenced by the unfiltered dialogue prevalent in many podcasts.
“When you go out as a member of the ANC, deliberately wide open, you go out of your way,” Mbalula lamented, referencing ANC leaders, including former minister Malusi Gigaba and veteran Tony Yengeni, who have been reprimanded for expressing contradictory views on such platforms. “I mean, even this podcast must be regulated. The things that are happening in those podcasts and things that get to be said there… there’s no censorship,” he added, conveying his frustration with the lack of accountability amongst party members.
The criticism follows a spate of controversies surrounding the podcasting format, particularly with the recent suspension of Kaya FM presenter Sol Phenduka after he made disparaging remarks about socialite Minnie Dlamini. Phenduka and his co-host McG, known for their provocative commentary, have consistently garnered backlash for comments perceived as sexist, raising questions about the broader implications of such dialogue on societal attitudes toward gender.
Mbalula highlighted the dire consequences such discussions may have on the ongoing struggle against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), lamenting that the authenticity associated with podcasts has often overshadowed the need for editorial control. “In the absence of restraint, the fight against Gender-Based Violence is being undermined by the podcast industry… You think now you are going to win the war against GBV, when women are called names in podcasts?” he questioned.
The Secretary General’s call to action extends beyond mere regulation; he emphasised a societal responsibility to address the deeper psychological impacts of derogatory language and objectification of women. “How you characterise women is normalised. They have been denigrated, sexual objects… And when women are abused, you start blaming everyone under the sun,” Mbalula asserted, urging South Africans to confront the realities of the issue rather than remaining passive observers.
He further stressed that living in a democratic society should not equate to a lack of limits, advocating for a national discourse encompassing various perspectives: “Any society that does not have limits will never grow. Let’s look at these issues beyond political parties. This is what this dialogue should be about.”
Mbalula’s remarks resonate with a broader concern regarding the amplification of negative stereotypes and toxic behaviour through digital media, raising vital questions about the responsibility of content creators and the potential need for regulatory frameworks to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, from the repercussions of unregulated platforms.