A complaint from a member of the public concerning the broadcast of a skit featuring the characters Mr Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel was received by the Registrar. The matter was referred to the SABC for a response and thereafter the matter was the subject of a hearing. As a starting point the [...]
[1] The beheading of a hostage by terrorists in Iraq once again drew worldwide shock and rejection. The Nguni TV news service broadcast explicit footage of the scene of a recent beheading at 19:30. The footage showed the captive’s head being severed by a number of cuts to his neck with what appears to be [...]
A complaint was received from viewers in regard to the “disclaimer” which introduced the “Pure Monate Show”, The complaint was that the disclaimer included the word “f-all” in stead of stating that it did not necessarily agree with what was broadcast. The broadcast took place at 22:00 and was not accompanied by the reading of [...]
This complaint deals with the anti-homosexuality stance in the series “Focus on the Family” broadcast in the religious programming slot on a Sunday morning. The complainants aver that this programme is one-sided in its treatment of the subject and does not present a balanced viewpoint. It is also averred that the programme constitutes hate speech. [...]
Promotional advert to launch new image of SABC1. Its intention was to promote mutual understanding of culture and way of life among young black and white South Africans. The method included the use of humour with a slightly satirical edge. The Complaints of racism were dismissed. [2003] JOL 12048 (BCTSA) CLICK TO VIEW FULL JUDGMENT [...]
Complaint that mini film on service brought postmasters into disrespect rejected. Reasonable viewers would not take the impersonation seriously and simply regard the film as a promotion of services. Complaint dismissed. Discussion of jurisdiction as to advertisements. CLICK TO VIEW FULL JUDGMENT
The High Commissioner of Zimbabwe complained that a music video involving Zimbabwe affected international relations detrimentally. The Tribunal, however, held that the broadcast conveyed no clear message and that evidence that the broadcast affected relations with Zimbabwe or brought the Zimbabwean government or its leaders in disrepute, was absent. The SABC, however, undertook not to [...]
The SABC aired a programme, obviously directed at teenagers at 11:00 on a Saturday. The question arose whether the discussion on how lesbians made love could be regarded as harmful for pre-teens. Majority of Commission holding that although some of the references were embarrassingly frank, sexuality tends to have that effect when discussed on camera. [...]
Complaint that teenage interviewer had not showed due respect to Rabbi, with whom she had an interview on why women are not allowed to partake on an equal footing with men in religious ceremonies. BCCSA holding that interview raised legitimate questions within a society based on freedom, equality and dignity and that the Rabbi had [...]
Episode in series, Yizo Yizo, screened at 20:30 to 3 million viewers with Parental Guidance classification, held to have been a contravention of Broadcasting Code. Quite explicit scenes of heterosexual and homosexual sex, although short in duration, not acceptable viewing for teenagers. Broadcasts, which include this kind of material, should be screened well after the [...]