The symmetry properties of the linear dielectric function for an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma are studied based on the local mode approximation as well as on the modified local mode approximation. In the local mode approximation applied to the electrostatic or electromagnetic waves, the dielectric tensor lacks both the Hermitian symmetry and the symmetry of the Onsager relations. The lack of the symmetry properties arises because Fourier decomposition into plane waves is not a correct method for an inhomogeneous medium. The modified local mode approximation completely recovers the symmetry properties for the electromagnetic waves. However, it still lacks the symmetry properties for the electrostatic waves, due to the diamagnetic current. Some of the controversies previously given for an inhomogeneous plasma are also discussed.