NEW figures released by a survey show a big drop in the number of Lotus
FM listeners, contrary to a statement issued by the station, writes Teneshia Naidoo in the Sunday Times Extra.
According to the Radio Audience Measurement Survey released this month, the number of listeners fell from 437000 in August 2008 to 383000 this month .
But last Saturday, station manager Gail Samuels released a statement saying that in the last month, the number of listeners grew from 373000 to 383000.
She also said advertising revenue had bucked national trends and increased 16% this year.
SABC management did not respond to queries about the apparently misleading statement.ÂÂÂ
The station has been plunged into disarray since April after popular presenters Ray Maharaj and Vikash Mathura left due to contractual disagreements.
Staff at the station embarked on an industrial action strike in July, demanding that Samuels be removed after she received a final warning pertaining to allegations of her mismanagement of the station.
This week, staff and religious leaders were called to two meetings with SABC acting chief executive officer Gabriel Mampone.
Click here to read the full report, posted on thetimes.co.za.
