On the 3rd of June 2008 and the 3rd of July 2008, SABC 3’s investigative programme “Special Assignment” dealt with allegations and claims that the complainant, Prof Graham Fitch, had engaged in acts of sexual molestation of children. The second programme included elements of the first programme, though added to it were elements that were [...]

A complaint was lodged against the first of two programmes commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The complaint was that the programme, which dealt with a controversial issue of public importance, created a one-sided impression that the officers of the security forces were the only ones who committed atrocities during the [...]

The Registrar received a complaint concerning Isidingo on the 26th and 28th January 2009. The complainant argued that racist remarks by a character in the soap were unacceptable. The SABC responded that, within the context, the words were typical of the character involved and that the words, in any case, did not amount to hate [...]

Application for leave to appeal Case No: 01/2009. CLICK TO VIEW FULL JUDGMENT  

Appeal against fines that were imposed on SABC3 in F vs SABC3 on 9 April 2009 for contraventions of clause 38 of the Code. News programmes on SABC airing investigation as to whether person had sexually molested children found to be defamatory. R30 000 fine imposed for first contravention, R50 000 imposed for second contravention. [...]

The Registrar received a complaint about a promotional advertisement broadcast at 15:30 for a programme which would be broadcast during a timeslot when the audience would be substantially mature. The Tribunal agreed with the Complainant and noted the admission by the SABC that it had contravened the Code. The Tribunal pointed out that it is [...]

Complaint about a news item. A boy of 15 was orphaned when his family perished in a fire.  Visuals clearly identify boy. Commentary in news item that boy may become cruel and callous should he not be counseled by a psychiatrist. Task of the BCCSA to protect children against exposure by the broadcasting media that [...]

A complaint was received in regard to the explicit sex which was shown when the film Monster’s Ball was broadcast as from 21:00.The Tribunal agreed that the film was sexually too explicit for 21:00. Although 21:00 is the start of the watershed, it does not mean that the watershed is a “waterfall.” The watershed does [...]

Complaint about the excessive use of the ‘F’ word and taking the Lord’s name in vain in a film, entitled Angels in America, which was broadcast on 30 November 2004 at 21:30.  The Tribunal held that in the light of the guarantee of freedom of expression and in the context of this film, the words [...]

Complaint that the two Respondents broadcast the news of the death of the  Complainant’s brother in the tsunami before verifying the truth with the deceased’s family or with the Department of Foreign Affairs.  Respondents admitted to this but justified this failure by blaming the unprecedented international interest and time pressure.  Respondents relied instead on information [...]