The Complainant, an influential public office holder, and DPP South Gauteng Region, lodged a complaint with the BCCSA against the Respondent regarding the broadcast of a controversial issue. The issue was based on the theme that the NPA is unable to fight crime fight due to the hinderance from corrupt officials operating within the organisation. The Complainant alleged that the Respondent phrased the discussions such that third parties could gain the impression that he was corrupt. Respondent offered the Complainant the right of reply, however he declined to take the offer; even though he still insisted that he was not given a right of reply. The Complainant further stated that his privacy and dignity was accordingly infringed.
The Tribunal found that the Complainant’s refusal to take up the Respondent’s offer to reply resulted in his own misfortune. The Tribunal also found that the Complainant’s right to privacy and dignity, being that of a public figure, was overridden by a legitimate public interest. No contravention of the Code was found.