CASE NO: 11/2012 – DANT AND SANG VS 567 CAPE TALK – RELIGION

Two complainants complained about a remark made by the presenter of a breakfast show of the Respondent in which the belief in transubstantiation by Roman Catholics (where it is believed that when the bread and wine of the Eucharist have been consecrated, they become the body and blood of Jesus) is compared to the religious practice of the slaughtering of animals in the sense that both are regarded by the presenter as being bizarre, thereby implying that it is so strange that the adherents of the belief is almost abnormal.  The complainants regarded this to be offensive to their religious convictions.  The Tribunal has to balance the right of the broadcaster to freedom of expression with the right of the listeners (and viewers, in the case of television) not to be offended.  The right to freedom of expression is not absolute and is limited by the hate speech provision.  In this instance the Tribunal found that, judged in the context of a breakfast show, the remark did not amount to the advocacy of hatred based on religion and there was also no incitement to cause harm.   No contravention of the Code was found and the complaints were not upheld.