Several complaints from various listeners were submitted in respect of a new presenter on East Coast Radio. The complaints were premised on comments made on the Durban-based station’s afternoon drive show. The Broadcaster argued that the mandate given to the presenter was to “shake up things. To be edgy, controversial, to get people talking, whether by phoning in to the station or on various social media platforms”. In essence, he was afforded the status of being a “shock jock”. The Tribunal found that the presenter’s utterances were of a ridiculous, bizarre and non-sensical nature thereby strongly suggesting that they fall under the ambit of humour. The content and the context in which the comments were aired are clear indicators of the non-serious thrust adopted by the presenter. The Tribunal found no breach of the provisions of the Code. Complaints are not upheld.
