The SA Broadcasting Corporation has been fined R25,000 by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA).<\/p>\n
The BCCSA said on Monday this stemmed from a re-broadcast of a 2009 episode of the “Speak Out” programme on November 8 last year.<\/p>\n
Community Dialogue of SA (Codisa) brought the complaint against the public broadcaster.<\/p>\n
The programme had exposed alleged fraud at Codisa, and indicated Codisa had been de-registered as a non-profit organisation by the social development department.<\/p>\n
The programme was then re-broadcast, even though the SABC failed to contact Codisa for an update.<\/p>\n
The SABC said it was exercising its duty of informing the public about matters of importance, with Codisa given the opportunity to clarify any misconceptions contained in the programme.<\/p>\n
Apart from the fine, the SABC had to allow Codisa an opportunity to reply on a “Speak Out” episode for eight of the first 10 minutes, regarding its current situation.<\/p>\n
The reply should take place before May 15 or a later date agreed to by Codisa and the SABC.<\/p>\n
The BCCSA also ordered that specific phrasing be used by “Speak Out” when Codisa exercised their right of reply, indicating the programme had made a mistake.<\/p>\n
“Failing to check whether circumstances had changed amounts to gross negligence, especially in the light of the considerable time lapse between broadcasts,” the BCCSA judgement stated.<\/p>\n
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