This case concerns complaints about two films on the Mafia that were broadcast at 10:00 and 13:00 
respectively, thus before the watershed. Despite the nature of the films they were classified as “family viewing”. The Respondent admitted to inappropriate classification. However there were no close shots and no graphic detail of dead bodies. The services as rendered by the channel (260) were purchased by Respondent but the channel is packaged in the UK. The representatives of the Respondent explained that the Respondent has no control over the content of programmes as the channel is broadcast from the UK via satellite directly to subscribers in South Africa. The representatives informed the Tribunal that all channels that they engage are advised of the South African requirements for classification, but that the Respondent nevertheless takes full responsibility for any transgressions of the Code. The Tribunal was informed that mistakes are sometimes made eg. by a new employee who has not been properly trained and informed about the South African Code. The Tribunal found a transgression of clause 17 of the Code because of inappropriate classification. The classification should at least have been one of Parental Guidance with an age restriction of 10 or 13. The Tribunal was of the view that the titles of the films containing names/words like “Mafia”, “Mob” and “bloody” were adequate warning to parents and care givers of children about the nature of the material and decided that the contravention was not serious. The complaints were upheld, but no sanction was imposed.
