CASE NUMBER: 34/2006 – STEENKAMP VS TALK RADIO 702 – HATE SPEECH

The issue in this matter is whether a talk show host on Radio 702 facilitated hate speech during his talk show when he permitted  a caller to express a racist view as to farm murders. The issue before the Tribunal was whether a reasonable presenter in the position of Mr. Tim Modise in this matter, would have responded more critically to the bland statement of the caller. Mr Modise, however, asked him to expand.  The request of Mr. Modise placed an onus on the caller to explain and acted as a corrective to the bland accusation. Whilst it remains this Tribunal’s view that an anchor to a talk show must at least question controversial views expressed by callers, we are of the view that in the present case there were sufficient countering factors and that a more active role was not required from Tim Modise. The explanation of the caller had its own limitations, which placed the opinion under pressure. The public could decide for itself in the light of the further explanation, which carried its own inherent defects. The complaint was dismissed.