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About the BCCSA
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The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) was established by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in 1993 and recognised by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in 1995 in terms of section 56(2) of the IBA Act 1993 as a formal tribunal. The IBA Act was repealed by the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005. The BCCSA is now recognised by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) as a formal tribunal in terms of section 54(3) of Act 36 of 2005.
Latest Judgments
Broadcasters who are members of the NAB adhere to the Code of Conduct for Free-to-Air Licensees, the Code of Conduct for Subscription Broadcasting Service Licensees and the Code for Online Services which are all enforced by the BCCSA. Broadcasters who are not members of the NAB fall under the jurisdiction of the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) of ICASA.
The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa is an independent, domestic, administrative tribunal that ensures that broadcasters who are members of the NAB comply with the Codes of Conduct relating to broadcasting (radio and television) as well as online content for signatories that offer online content services. According to its Constitution, the BCCSA is a voluntary association. The BCCSA is capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name; performing all such acts as are necessary for or incidental to the carrying out of its objectives; and for the performance of its functions and duties under this Constitution. The BCCSA comprises 9 part-time members: a Chairperson and 8 Commissioners. Three full-time staff are employed in the Johannesburg office: a Registrar, a Secretary and a Complaints Manager.
The BCCSA is subject to the Constitution of South Africa, in particular section 16, which protects the right to freedom of expression. Although freedom of expression lies at the foundation of our democracy, it is not an absolute right and there are boundaries to exercising free speech in South Africa’s constitutional state. The BCCSA therefore strives to find a balance between freedom of expression – which includes the right of the viewer/listener to receive information – and the individual’s rights to dignity and privacy. The BCCSA’s approach to enforcing the Codes of Conduct (Codes) applicable to broadcasters is underpinned by South Africa’s constitutional values.
Since its inception, the BCCSA has believed that broadcasters should provide enough information about the content of a programme in order to enable the viewer/listener to make an informed decision about whether or not to watch or listen to a programme. As such, warnings about age restriction and programme content are prescribed in the Codes.
The Codes also contain extensive provisions aimed at protecting children from harmful content, which are strictly enforced. A system of age restrictions and a “watershed” rule has been developed to enable parents to make informed decisions regarding the programmes their children may watch.
While editorial independency remains the prerogative of the broadcaster, the news clauses in the Codes speak specifically to the requirement of fair and unbiased coverage. The Codes stipulate that broadcasting service licensees which will also apply to online content services must report news truthfully, accurately and fairly, in the correct context and in a fair manner, without intentional or negligent departure from the facts. The manner in which comment and controversial issues of public importance are to be presented is also prescribed in the respective Codes.
The BCCSA has no jurisdiction in election matters; these complaints fall within the purview of the CCC of ICASA.
ADJUDICATION NO: 04/A/2024 – FORTUIN VS SMILE FM – NEWS
The complaint regards the alleged inaccuracy in news coverage by Smile FM on its depiction of the ongoing conflict in Palestine as part of a war instead of genocide which...
Read MoreADJUDICATION NO: 06/A/2025, SUIDER AFRIKA AGRI INISIATIEF (SAAI) vs SABC NEWS – YOUTUBE
A complaint was lodged with the BCCSA by Suider Afrika Agri Inisiatief (SAAI) [hereinafter the Complainant] against a news broadcast by SABC News [hereinafter the Broadcaster] on YouTube on 11...
Read MoreADJUDICATION NO:07/A/2025, VAN VUUREN vs eNCA – HATE SPEECH
A complaint has been lodged with the BCCSA against eNCA’s Power to Truth with specific reference to Dr Thabane’s “JJ’s Rant” opening monologue segment. The issue to be determined is...
Read MoreADJUDICATION NO: 05/A/2025 – SCHOEMAN, GOUWS AND HAMMAN vs eNCA – HATE SPEECH
Complaints about a television morning show where the presenters’ remarks contained alleged hate speech, discrimination, reinforcement of racial tensions, derogatory speech, reinforcement of negative stereotypes, and more. CLICK TO VIEW...
Read MoreADJUDICATION NO: 03/A/2025 -LIEBENBERG VS JACARANDA FM – HARMFUL TO CHILDREN
A complaint was lodged with the BCCSA against Jacaranda FM concerning a caller’s remark during a call-in programme on 30 January 2025 at 07:50. The Complainant is of the opinion...
Read MoreADJUDICATION NO:02/A/2024- NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICE (“THE NHLS”) VS SABC 1 – BALANCE
A complaint was lodged by the National Health Laboratory Service [hereinafter referred to as ‘the NHLS’] against the SABC, Cutting Edge programme [hereinafter referred to as ‘the Broadcaster’] with the...
Read MoreCASE NUMBER: 23/2024, MABASA VS MULTICHOICE CHANNEL 157 – CLAUSE 28.4
Appeal against a finding of the adjudicator that the complainant’s privacy and dignity had not been infringed during the broadcast of Rea Tsotella on 13 May 2024. The complainant was...
Read MoreADJUDICATION NO: 44/A/2024 – KUBHEKA VS SABC 5FM – HARMFUL TO CHILDREN
An inappropriate topic was discussed at a time when a large number of children are likely to be part of the audience. CLICK TO VIEW FULL ADJUDICATION
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