South Africa, March 18 -- Multiple stakeholders

On 24 March 2026, Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies will convene a high-level roundtable bringing together podcasters, policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders. Framed as a multi-stakeholder dialogue on "balanced regulation", the meeting signals a shift in posture: podcasting is no longer just a cultural phenomenon, but a sector edging into policy territory.

The timing is telling. Podcasting in South Africa has grown rapidly, driven by increased smartphone penetration, wider internet access and a confident, fast-moving creator economy. Once seen as a niche format has become a significant media channel.

But growth without guardrails inevi...