Complaint about a programme where the views of a pacifist Palestinian, Ali, were not countered, not upheld. The Tribunal agreed with the complainant that the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians is a controversial one. Ali’s views are, however, his own views and do not elevate the debate, as presented in this programme, to the level of public importance as required in clause 13. It is Ali’s views that are portrayed. The reasonable, sophisticated viewer, who is the likely viewer of this programme, would judge what Ali says within that context and not have the reasonable expectation that his views, which are very personal, should be countered. He is clearly not a sophisticated, intellectual politician, but an ordinary man with pacifist ideals. His views are not so important, seen from a South African perspective, that they should have been countered or answered in the same programme or in a related broadcast.
As to the use of a crude word by this character, uttered in apparent frustration, the likely viewer would fully understand his frustration. The likely viewer would not be a child under 13. First complainant’s complaint also not upheld.