A complaint was received from a listener in regard to the broadcast of the sounds of the radioso-called Boston Bombings by East Coast Radio and Radio Sonder Grense (“RSG”). Reference was also made to the broadcast of details of the trauma experienced by victims, as well as witnesses’ comments in the immediate aftermath of the explosions.

The Tribunal held as follows:

In so far as adults, including sensitive adult audiences, are concerned, the material was neither explicit nor graphic. Nothing in the broadcast amounted to an exploitation by the broadcasters of the situation.

In so far as children are concerned, a warning was also not necessary.  The combined effect of the blast and victims’ screams as well as comments made by witnesses in the immediate aftermath of the blast resulted in individual details being lost. In effect, the general cacophony reduced the impact of the discrete elements of the sounds that were broadcast.

The complaint was not upheld.

[2013] JOL 30599 (BCCSA)

CLICK TO VIEW FULL JUDGMENT case-no-16-2013