CASE NO: 07/2014 – DE WET VS SABC3 – AGE RESTRICTION

An age advisory was not added to a music video broadcast at 09:55 on a Saturday in January 2014.

The SABC conceded that an age advisory of PG 10 should have been provided at the commencement of the programme for ninety seconds as prescribed. The SABC, however, argued extenuating circumstances relating to the absence of its support systems on the day in question.

The Tribunal held that a 10 advisory should have accompanied the programme, by including such advisory during the first ninety seconds of the programme.

The SABC was reprimanded for the contravention of the Code. The Tribunal pointed out that it would have been appropriate to have imposed a fine if the broadcast justified any age restriction of 14 and above. Of course, had it justified an age restriction of 18 it would only have been acceptable for a broadcast after 21:00 and with a 16, after 20:00.