CASE NUMBER: 56/2005 – DE VOS VAS TALK RADIO 702 – BALANCE

Invited guest on talk show expressed her views on natural remedies for HIV and AIDS.  These views, according to Complainant, were “obviously false and deadly assertions”.  He argued that it was not in the public interest to broadcast such material as it could not be in the public interest to broadcast material that threatens the lives of thousands of South Africans.  The broadcast was not to judged in terms of clause 36 (“controversial issues of public importance”) but in terms of clause 34 relating to news.  Broadcast therefore not truthful, accurate and fair, according to Complainant. Tribunal found that this argument is not correct, that the broadcast should be judged in terms of clause 36.1 and that the necessary balance was obtained, also with subsequent programme in the same time slot where the guest expressed views that were directly opposed to those of the present guest.  No contravention of Code found and complaint not upheld.