A complaint was received regarding the correctness of a news item broadcast by the SABC. The inv
asion of privacy of the Complainant’s wife was at the core of the complaint – and together with that, the absence of truth in relation to her possible involvement in a crime. The identity of the wife of the Complainant was not disclosed in the news item. Her privacy was, accordingly, not invaded. The next question was whether the news item was in conflict with the news provision of the Broadcasting Code. The explanation provided by the SABC was accepted. The version provided by the Complainant was simply too vague to be of any value. In the event of further information surfacing in relation to the matter, and being brought to the attention of the SABC, the SABC might have to consider broadcasting the information if it deems it to be true.
The complaint was not upheld.