The Respondent, a subscription television broadcaster, broadcast a news commentary which included visuals of a semi-intimate nature pertaining to a surgical operation. The issue was whether it should not have included an age restriction and classification.
The Tribunal held that, since the News and Comment clause in the Subscription Broadcasting Code does not require classification and age restrictions, only visual or oral warnings need be broadcast. Such warnings were, indeed, supplied by the Respondent. The broadcast was also within the watershed period for subscription broadcasters – albeit at the commencement thereof. Accordingly the Complaint was not upheld.
[2014] JOL 32082 (BCCSA)