Multichoice fined for violating broadcasting code

Multichoice has been fined R5000 for not providing adequate warning before airing a promotion of a programme which contained horror scenes on a Disney channel, the BCCSA said on Monday (09/06/2014).

"...The absence of an adequate warning violated clause 18 of the code of conduct which protects the rights of parents and caregivers to be informed about the nature of material to which their children are exposed on television," the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA) said in its ruling, which was handed down on Thursday.

"The complaint was upheld and a penalty of R5000 imposed."

Tracey le Roux lodged a complaint about the promotion of a fantasy drama called "Wolfblood", which was broadcast on the Disney XD Channel on December 31 last year at around 11.49am.

Le Roux believed that although the promotion was of short duration, it contained scenes of growing human teeth and finger nails, suggesting an episode of a horror movie and requiring an age restriction of 13.

Le Roux submitted that this sort of imagery was unsuitable and disturbing to children.

Disney channels are for children from eight years old to teenagers.

"...We have decided that the scenes in the promo are too scary for younger viewers and that the broadcaster should have given adequate warning to viewers that the promo is not suitable for viewing by children 13-years-old and younger," the BCCSA ruled.

"We therefore uphold the complaint." - Sapa