CASE NUMBER: 52/2004 – BERGH VS M-NET – VIOLENCE

A complaint was received concerning a hi-jack sequence in the well known Soap, Egoli, broadcast by M-Net, a subscription broadcaster. The broadcast was during so–called “open time” when non-subscribers also have access to M-Net. The Tribunal has considered the violence portrayed in the episode of Egoli referred to. Contextually, we regarded it as important to also view the next episode.  We believe that the violence was not gratuitous, as is prohibited by the Broadcasting Code. The hi-jack was presented in a realistic manner, but there were no explicit scenes showing blood or violence as afflicted. There was also no indication as to the degree to which the gunshot had affected Nora physically. She seemed quite well soon afterwards.  Although the scenes were quite dramatic and even gripping, we do not believe that a substantial number of children was likely to have been disturbed or harmed by the hi-jack scenes. The viewers were also likely to have realized, almost right from the beginning, that the Tracker system was onto the hijackers. In this sense, younger children would have found emotional protection and not have felt unsafe. M-Net also cautioned viewers sufficiently of the violence, as set out in their response.