CASE NUMBER: 31/2007 – STANDING & JOHN VS SABC RADIO – 5FM – LANGUAGE

Complaints were received from  listeners against the SABC as a result of a presenter on 5FM having used the word “fuck-all” at 16:30 on radio. The matter was referred to a Tribunal of the Commission. A high standard of language is expected from presenters. The word “fuck” is certainly not a word which befits any presenter and especially not at that time of the day. Clause 27 of the Code provides as follows: “No excessively and grossly offensive language should be used before the watershed period on television or at times when large numbers of children are likely to be part of the audience on television or radio. Its use during the periods referred to above should, where practicable, be approved in advance by the licensee’s most senior programme executive or the designated alternate.” The Tribunal held that it had no doubt that clause 27 of the Code had been contravened.