Broadcast of corruption allegations against Mr. Mputle’s request of ‘facilitation fee’ payment before awarding a Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) tender to Mr. X, created the impression that RLM is corrupt. RLM refuted the allegations that there is a relationship between Mr Mputle and itself – RLM felt that the broadcast lacked balance as its side of the story was not reflected. The fact that the interview took place within a news programme, led the Complainant to believe that the provisions of clause 28.1 of the Subscription Code of Conduct was applicable. Clause 28.2 is instead the applicable clause as interviews are not news. There was therefore no contravention of the Broadcasting Code.
