CASE NO: 29/2011 – DAWOOD VS HEART 104.9 FM – HATE SPEECH

A complaint of hate speech was received regarding a joke told in the context of a programme about excuses for being late for work. The joke describes a man going to a local mosque for advice, and instead being beaten up with the Quran. The joke is satirical, and formed part of a comedy show where situational jokes were told. While the BCCSA warns against the mockery of religion, the joke as it was told in the radio show does not exceed normal bounds of tolerance. It cannot be construed as hate speech.  There was no advocacy of hatred based on religion, and there was also no incitement to cause harm, the two requirements for the finding of a hate speech contravention.  There was thus no contravention of the Code of Conduct and the complaint was not upheld.