Lotus FM cheers possible end to SABC’s 90% local content policy
The radio station lost millions in revenue after the order in June 2016, and listenership plunged from 390,000 people to 260,000 in four months
The Lotus FM pressure group and staff members are over the moon that the SABC has proposed dropping its 90% local content policy, imposed by Hlaudi Motsoeneng in June 2016. The radio station has lost millions of rand in revenue since the decree came into effect — a move that sent the station’s listenership plunging from 390,000 people to 260,000 within four months. Ashwin Trikamjee, president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and chairperson of the group Save our Lotus FM, said they were jubilant about the news that 90-10 local content policy could be relaxed from May. "I am happy about this decision. I think it was a sensible decision taken by the board to save not only Lotus FM but other SABC radio stations and to bring the SABC back from the brink of financial collapse," he said. "I think it is good to promote local content but [it must be] a long-term strategy. The problem with this one is that it was imposed so suddenly, without giving anyone a chance to plan and mitigate a...
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