A film with an 18L was screened just after the commencement of the subscription watershed at 20:00. The dialogue of the film contains an extremely high frequency of crude language. The mere fact that the Appellant provides a parental mechanism for the blocking out of 18 films and also removes such language on its green [...]

Complaint regarding the broadcast of an episode of South Park entitled “Red Hot Catholic” wherein priests are depicted in a bad light and the priests are depicted as immoral and accepting their indulgence of inappropriate sexual intercourse with young persons as a way of life.  Held that although the satirical language  is crude, offensive and [...]

Balance – issue whether absence of balance and mistakes are of such a nature in film dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that Broadcasting Code has been contravened by broadcaster – Commission holding that the “news” clause was not applicable to the film and that the balance requirement of clause 3 only requires balance when material [...]

Episode in series on “The Simpsons” - reference to God as being “insecure” - seen in context of satire, not blasphemous nor “advocacy of hatred based on religion” (test in terms of section 16(2) of the Constitution) - complaint dismissed by Tribunal. [2003] JOL 10739 (BCCSA) CLICK TO VIEW FULL JUDGMENT   [...]

Procedure – re-broadcast of film before judgment delivered on its previous broadcast- contravention of procedural rules that impliedly expect broadcasters to await judgment before re-broadcasting.  Film on Mid East conflict directed at informed viewers – not appropriate to screen the film at 10:00. First screening having been after the watershed at 22:00. Contravention of Code. [...]

“The Contenders”, a satire on reality TV, where the “contenders” have to kill each other, found not to have been in contravention of the Broadcasting Code. The film must be judged as a whole. Parental control mechanism blocking out film for under eighteens and green channel blocking out all instances of crude and profane language. [...]

The complaint that the divinity of Jesus was questioned should be seen in the context of the “historical Jesus” debate that is currently being conducted in religious circles and in the media. This particular programme deals with the views of a group of scholars, known as the “Jesus Seminar”.  Although they question the accuracy of [...]

Several complaints as to accuracy, balance and opportunity to respond from Company which managed the Repatriation Centre for Illegal Aliens, Lindela.  BCCSA Tribunal holding that Carte Blanche should have afforded a representative from Lindela an opportunity to respond to accusations of unhygienic circumstances as well as the comment that the facilities reminded one of a [...]

Procedure - enforcement of orders by BCCSA Original order of Tribunal not strictly adhered to by the respondent. On an interpretation of the BCCSA’s Constitution, the Tribunal is of the view that it has inherent power to enforce its own orders and directives. As a settlement had been reached by the parties which is acceptable [...]

Carte Blanche, which is broadcast between 19:00 and 20:00 on Sunday evenings by M-Net, a subscription broadcaster which provides a parental control mechanism for subscribers, included an insert on action which a woman took after her boyfriend stated that he did not have “passion” for her. She took lessons at a strip club and invited [...]