Open Chats Podcast Under Fire for Racist Remarks
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has strongly condemned the Open Chats Podcast, citing deeply offensive and racially charged content that recently went viral on TikTok. The podcast episode in question reportedly featured hosts engaging in harmful stereotypes against the Coloured community, including disturbing discussions about alleged incestuous behaviour and labeling them as "crazy."
The DA asserts that these comments are not humorous or harmless pop culture commentary but rather a direct assault on the dignity of the Coloured community. They argue that the podcast's content fuels division and undermines the constitutional values of equality, human dignity, and social cohesion.
In response, the DA has officially reported the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission. The party emphasizes that hate speech, harmful racial stereotyping, and the public degradation of any group within South African society are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
While the podcasters have issued an apology, which the DA views as an implicit admission of guilt, the party maintains that an apology alone is insufficient to erase the harm caused or absolve the perpetrators from accountability. The DA reaffirms its commitment to defending free speech but emphasizes that this right ends when it infringes upon the constitutional rights and dignity of others.
Other political parties including the ANC, PA and EFF have also condemned the podcast.
This incident raises important questions about the responsibility of podcasters and the potential need for regulation. The DA is calling on all South Africans to reject this type of content and stand united against any attempts to normalize or monetize racial denigration. South Africa, as a constitutional democracy, values dignity, respect, non-racialism, freedom, and democracy, and the DA pledges to defend the rights of all groups within society.
Should Podcasts Be Regulated?
This incident follows recent news of Minnie Dlamini opening a case against podcast host Mac G, for defamatory comments. These cases raise questions about whether podcasts should be regulated in a similar fashion to other forms of media.