CASE NUMBER: 26/2007 – MENESES VS SABC3 – CHILDREN

The Registrar received a complaint about a promotional advertisement broadcast at 15:30 for a programme which would be broadcast during a timeslot when the audience would be substantially mature. The Tribunal agreed with the Complainant and noted the admission by the SABC that it had contravened the Code. The Tribunal pointed out that it is of the utmost importance that promotional material should not be harmful or disturbing to children when they form a large part of the audience. The Tribunal, accordingly, held that clause 18.1 of the Broadcasting Code had been contravened. As to sanction the Tribunal held that the SABC had shown that a bona fide management error had led to the broadcast and that steps were taken to ensure that such a mistake would not be repeated. The Tribunal did not deem it necessary to impose a sanction in the circumstances. The Complaint was upheld and no sanction was imposed.