SECTOR 3 3.7 The state/public broadcaster offers diverse programming formats for all interests including local content and quality public interest programmes. The SABC offers a number of very educational home-grown programmes in a number of South African languages, such as Soul City (an award-winning drama series looking at issues from HIV-Aids to child abuse and illiteracy), Yizo Yizo (gritty series focusing on issues affecting the youth), Hola Hamonate (catering for the needs of the elderly) and the current affairs programme, Cutting Edge. “There is a lot of diversity and some of these shows are very informative, but the quality is not always the best, and often these programmes are ‘dumbed down’ and patronising.” It was felt that generally the SABC did well in covering various local issues, except when it came to politics. There are no political satire shows on the SABC. Mention was made of ZANews, a political and social parody puppet show presented as a mock news broadcast. The show was scheduled to air on the SABC in 2008/2009, but after viewing the pilot, the SABC refused to broadcast the show as, according to one panellist, “the government is intolerant of any political satire and was not comfortable with the criticism that came with ZA News”. The daily five-minute show was then launched online. In 2012 the satellite TV service, TopTV, began broadcasting the show. Writers include the satirist Ben Trovato and cartoonist Steve Francis of Madam and Eve fame, with input from Zapiro cartoonist, Jonathan Shapiro, among others. The SABC has extended its evening English-language news bulletin to one hour from 30 minutes but it is considered to be “badly done, too long and poorly put together”. An argument was made that the SABC does not hire staff that are particularly creative or known for critical thinking for a very pointed reason – to keep the public in the dark and therefore unable to question any wrongdoings on the behalf of the state. “With the resources to which it has access, the SABC should be producing much better content. What is happening is just plain incompetence, which, I suppose, can be the best form of competent control.” 56 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2013