A complaint was received about a broadcast of promotional material which contained several scenes The broadcaster confirmed that the promotional material relates to a programme for adult audiences that is broadcast after the start of the watershed. The broadcaster further admitted that the promotional material should not have been broadcast during a children’s programme. The broadcaster informed the Tribunal that the promotional material had been broadcast in error and that steps have since been taken to avoid recurrence of a similar error. The Tribunal finds that the broadcast contravened clause 21 of the Code. The Tribunal further finds that the broadcaster has shown that a bona fide error led to the broadcast and that steps have been taken to ensure that such a mistake will not be repeated. Because the broadcast was the result of a bona fide error and the broadcaster has taken steps to avoid recurrence of this type of mistake, a reprimand is regarded to be a sufficient sanction. The complaint is upheld and the broadcaster is reprimanded for the violation. [2008] JOL 22363 (BCCSA)
of violence. The broadcast took place at 06:30 on 16 July 2008 during a children’s programme. Clause 21 of the Broadcasting Code provides that “
CASE NUMBER: 15/2008 – SHEPHERD VS SABC1 – VIOLENT SCENES
[p]romotional material and music videos which contain scenes of violence, sexually explicit conduct and/or offensive language intended for adult audiences shall not be broadcast before the watershed period.” Although the promotional material in issue is brief, it contains several explicit scenes of violence.