CASE NUMBER: 61/2002 – POLAKOW VS RADIO ISLAM – HATE SPEECH

On the 19^th of August the Respondent broadcast an interview with a visiting well known author and speaker, Imraan Hussain. On the 23^rd it broadcast a news commentary by one of its own employees on suicide bombers in Israel. This Commission received complaints from a Dr Polakow in regard to both these broadcasts. 

The Tribunal held that by quoting an Islamic text out of context, which referred to the killing of the Jews, the broadcast amounted to hate speech. 

Insofar as the commentary was concerned, some of the language amounted to hate speech. Alternatively, the BCCSA held that the categorical and sweeping accusation of the Israelis of rape and torture of “our people”, brought the matter within the sphere of  clause 7.2.1 of the Code, which requires the airing of  significant (other)  views on the matter, which were lacking.