Complainants complained about inaccurate news reporting by the Respondent broadcaster when referring to places where events occurred, eg. “Onderstepoort, outside Tshwane”, “Mamelodi, east of Tshwane”, “Winterveldt, north of Tshwane” and “the city centre of Tshwane”. In a decision by the Tribunal in May 2005 it was found that Respondent did not contravene the Code when [...]
A complaint was received in regard to the live broadcast on SABC 2 of a Freedom celebration Festival. It was felt that the praise-singer’s chants were subversive of Christianity. Although the Tribunal has understanding for the sincerity with which the complaint was lodged and argued before us, the complainant would, with respect, seem to have [...]
Complainant declining the offer to present its version of events in response to a news bulletin - such refusal by complainant not attributable to the conduct of the respondent. Held that the complainant by exercising the choice to remain silent cannot thereafter be heard to criticise the news bulletin as been untruthful, unfair or inaccurate. [...]
The Registrar received a complaint from a medical doctor, Dr Levin, about a programme on Ritalin, which is widely used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). The matter was referred to a Commissioner, who dismissed the complaint. The complainant appealed to the Tribunal of the Commission. The complaint was directed at a [...]
The Complainant argued that the Respondent Broadcaster did not broadcast a balanced news item as to the trial of the accused. It was, according to the argument, not balanced because it omitted to broadcast the view of an expert witness, who denied that the stress of the children indecently assaulted by the accused, had been [...]
Complaint, about the use of strong language and a profanity in an episode of “Geraas”. This complaint has to be judged in the light of the Broadcasting Code and the freedom of expression clause in the Constitution of South Africa. The Constitution allows for certain limitations to the freedom of expression. The use of the [...]
The well-known Dutch singer, Stef Bos, combined forces with a well-known South African singer, Koos Kombuis. After an interview with Bos, in which he explained the reasons for the song which they were about to sing and also expressed some concern that it could be misunderstood, the singers combined in a song which characterized God [...]
Complaint that a single broadcast of an incident where Christians were massacred by unknown assailants at prayer in a church in Pakistan not accorded equal time and importance by the SABC in comparison to an analogous incident whereat Afghanistan civilians were bombed by an American missile. Argued that such distinction and emphasis accorded to the [...]
A news item stated that one of the South African heroes of the Anglo-Boer war had been murdered. The truth is that he had died in conventional battle, which, of course, does not amount to murder. Error due to translation error and not regarded as negligent. No contravention of Code, but SABC cautioned. [2003] JOL [...]
In a previous matter the BCCSA held that a song by Stef Bos and Koos Kombuis, broadcast as part of a magazine programme, Geraas,on SABC between 20:3- and 21:00 was not blasphemous and, accordingly also not in contravention of the Code. It was, however, held that the timing was too early and that the broadcast [...]