SABC says misplayed political advert did not cause any trouble
by Roxanne Henderson
2016-08-17 15:20:49.0
THE SABC has got under the skin of someone adjudicating over its case relating to broadcasting contraventions in the run-up to the local government elections.
This arose on Wednesday at the Independent Broadcasting Authority of SA (Icasa)‚ where its complaints and compliance committee (CCC) heard the case.
The broadcaster’s Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) flighted three Freedom Front Plus adverts on Monday‚ August 1 — within the 48-hour cooling off period‚ ahead of polling on election day‚ breaching broadcasting regulations.
Nyiko Shibambo‚ of the SABC’s policy and regulatory affairs department‚ said the mistake had not caused any real trouble.
"We don’t think there was any impact. The (advert) did not get significant mileage and it shows in the (election) results‚" he said.
Many in the audience laughed at the comment‚ but Mapato Ramokgopa, a member of the complaints and compliance committee, did not take kindly to it.
"The comment about the political party not benefiting was misplaced. Non-compliance is non-compliance‚" she said.
Committee chairman Kobus van Rooyen‚ however‚ accepted that the comment was made in jest and said it was not too serious.
The SABC had said the error arose in a period when its staff were overwhelmed with adverts and the advert was pulled within 20 minutes of the complaint reaching it.
The DA had initially laid the complaint‚ but withdrew it after the SABC’s prompt response.
Icasa pursued the matter further.
On Wednesday Ngoka Monyela‚ of the SABC’s policy and regulatory affairs department‚ said: "This was just an oversight and we have taken corrective measures."
The committee said it would consider asking the SABC to air an apology to its listeners for the mistake.
The SABC has made headlines this year after its controversial decision to ban on footage of violent protests and the axing of some if its senior journalists‚ who opposed the move.
But on Wednesday the complaints and compliance committee attempted to establish whether the SABC’s advertising faux pas was intentional or motivated by any kind of policy.
The committee also heard a complaint against Ekurhuleni community station Kasie FM. It had played two political adverts consecutively‚ which was not allowed.
Judgment has been reserved.
TMG Digital
IN THE NEWS: The SABC’s Auckland Park headquarters. Picture: FINANCIAL MAIL
THE SABC has got under the skin of someone adjudicating over its case relating to broadcasting contraventions in the run-up to the local government elections.
This arose on Wednesday at the Independent Broadcasting Authority of SA (Icasa)‚ where its complaints and compliance committee (CCC) heard the case.
The broadcaster’s Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) flighted three Freedom Front Plus adverts on Monday‚ August 1 — within the 48-hour cooling off period‚ ahead of polling on election day‚ breaching broadcasting regulations.
Nyiko Shibambo‚ of the SABC’s policy and regulatory affairs department‚ said the mistake had not caused any real trouble.
"We don’t think there was any impact. The (advert) did not get significant mileage and it shows in the (election) results‚" he said.
Many in the audience laughed at the comment‚ but Mapato Ramokgopa, a member of the complaints and compliance committee, did not take kindly to it.
"The comment about the political party not benefiting was misplaced. Non-compliance is non-compliance‚" she said.
Committee chairman Kobus van Rooyen‚ however‚ accepted that the comment was made in jest and said it was not too serious.
The SABC had said the error arose in a period when its staff were overwhelmed with adverts and the advert was pulled within 20 minutes of the complaint reaching it.
The DA had initially laid the complaint‚ but withdrew it after the SABC’s prompt response.
Icasa pursued the matter further.
On Wednesday Ngoka Monyela‚ of the SABC’s policy and regulatory affairs department‚ said: "This was just an oversight and we have taken corrective measures."
The committee said it would consider asking the SABC to air an apology to its listeners for the mistake.
The SABC has made headlines this year after its controversial decision to ban on footage of violent protests and the axing of some if its senior journalists‚ who opposed the move.
But on Wednesday the complaints and compliance committee attempted to establish whether the SABC’s advertising faux pas was intentional or motivated by any kind of policy.
The committee also heard a complaint against Ekurhuleni community station Kasie FM. It had played two political adverts consecutively‚ which was not allowed.
Judgment has been reserved.
TMG Digital
