CASE NUMBER: 11/2002 -DINUR, D MANKOWITZ & EMET SA VS M-NET – BALANCE

Balance – issue whether absence of balance and mistakes are of such a nature in film dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that Broadcasting Code has been contravened by broadcaster – Commission holding that the “news” clause was not applicable to the film and that the balance requirement of clause 3 only requires balance when material is of public importance – such “public importance” to be judged within the South African context – film’s aim not so closely connected to South Africa that it deals with a matter of public importance for South Africa in terms of the Code. Film also not critical of present day South Africa. Likely viewer, in any case, realizing that the film built on arguable premise and aimed at providing the other side of the coin. Code not transgressed.