An unjustifiable connection with Islam was made during two news bulletins. This was held to be unfair in terms of the BCCSA news clause 11(1). A Fine of R10 000 was imposed for each of the two contraventions of the Broadcasting Code. However, the Tribunal rejected the claim that the broadcasts amounted to evidence of Islamophobia [...]

Lyrics of song promote sexual violence against women. [2013] JOL 31062 (BCCSA) CLICK TO VIEW FULL ADJUDICATION  

A complaint was received from the North West Department of Health that a news report by Motsweding FM had unjustifiably claimed that the MEC had lied to the provincial Legislature. At the second hearing of the matter the parties informed the Tribunal that they had reached an agreement in terms of which a representative of [...]

The Tribunal of the Commission held recently that a broadcast in which the identity of a deceased child, who had been raped, was disclosed with the permission of her parents, was in conflict with the Broadcasting Code. The SABC applied for leave to appeal the judgment to the Appeal Tribunal of the Commission. Held: Ultimately, [...]

Appeal against a decision and sanction by a Tribunal of the BCCSA.  Disclosure was made by the broadcaster as part of an awareness campaign against the rape of women and children, with permission of the parents, of the identity of a child who had been raped and who had subsequently died. The first Tribunal, on [...]

Kru-taal in rap liedjie. [2012] JOL 28660 (BCCSA) CLICK TO VIEW FULL ADJUDICATION    

Unbalance programming, offensive language and hate speech. [2012] JOL 28940 (BCCSA) CLICK TO VIEW FULL ADJUDICATION  

A repetition of a joke which degraded women was held to have amounted to hate speech as a result of the repetition thereof as a promo. The SABC was reprimanded for the contravention. [2012] JOL 29047 (BCCSA) CLICK TO VIEW FULL JUDGMENT  

Caller’s allegedly anti-Islamic comments on talk show, allegedly amount to hate speech. [2012] JOL 29229 (BCCSA) CLICK TO VIEW FULL ADJUDICATION  

The legal point which had to be decided is whether the BCCSA has jurisdiction to hear a complaint which emanates from a country outside the licence area and was received by way of  what is technically called “streaming” by way of internet communication. The Tribunal held that it only has jurisdiction over broadcasts and that [...]