CASE NUMBER: 60/2005 – STEYN VS ELECTRONIC MEDIA NETWORK – BALANCE

The Registrar received a complaint concerning a kidnap insert on Carte Blanche, the weekly news related programme presented by M-Net, the subscription broadcaster. It was argued that the insert furthered kidnapping by stating that it is easy to kidnap a child. The only issue before the Tribunal in terms of the Broadcasting Code is whether the subject was dealt with in a balanced manner. One must accept that when a subject such as kidnapping is discussed, there would be divergent views. One might even find that the most of the persons interviewed express the fear that kidnapping is increasing and that it can happen so easily. One finds the same approach to hi-jacking of motorcars. However, the mere fact that these views are expressed does not mean that the crime is likely to increase. In fact, the insert is likely to make people more careful. On the other hand the would-be criminal also knows that it is “easy” to kidnap, but nevertheless it is not done that readily. Even criminals are not that gullible. On the whole the Tribunal agrees with the view of M-Net that the insert was not likely to have influenced viewers to commit the crime. The Tribunal did not uphold the complaint.