/ 11 September 2000

702’S OWNERS APOLOGISE FOR ON-AIR SPAT

RADIO 702’s station manager Dan Moyane has denied all knowledge of an apology letter sent to Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang by the station’s owner, Primedia, after an outcry by the ANC over an on-air row between Radio 702 talk-show host John Robbie and Tshabalala-Msimang. Robbie allegedly told the minister that she was talking ”rubbish” and to ”go away” when she declined to say whether she believes that HIV causes Aids. The ANC called for Robbie’s dismissal, saying that his behaviour was distasteful and unacceptable. Moyane last week denied rumours that Robbie had been dismissed after the talk-show host took two days off work. Moyane said that the Broadcasting Complaint’s Commission had requested a hearing from Radio 702 on the issue, and the station would wait for the ruling before they made any decisions. Primedia chief executive officer William Kirsh confirmed that a letter was sent to the minister apologising for the way the interview ended.