SABC Ordered to Apologise After Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma SAFM Interview Breaches Broadcasting Code
- The Broadcasting Complaints Commission upheld a complaint against the SABC over a June interview with March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma
- Social justice activist Christopher Rutledge filed the complaint, arguing that SAFM aired serious unverified claims without proper scrutiny
- Commissioner Advocate Ben Winks found the broadcaster breached the Free-to-Air Code across multiple statements made during the programme
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
The South African Broadcasting Corporation has been ordered to air an apology after a broadcasting regulator ruled that SAFM failed to properly handle an interview with March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.
The Broadcasting Complaints Commission upheld a complaint against the SABC following an edition of The National Pulse on SAFM, broadcast on 3 June, during which Ngobese-Zuma made a number of serious factual claims about foreign nationals in South Africa.
What Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said on air
The interview, hosted by Ashraf Garda, followed a segment featuring Daniel Steyn, deputy editor of GroundUp, who had challenged several claims previously made by March and March about immigrants. Ngobese-Zuma was given a right of reply.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
During her appearance, she stated as fact that foreign nationals were responsible for 60% of serious crimes in Gauteng, that foreign-funded organisations were using money to buy weapons, that bombs and explosives were being smuggled into the country, that foreign military bases were operating on South African soil, and that some foreign nationals were avoiding prosecution by bribing police officers.
Social justice activist Christopher Rutledge lodged a complaint, arguing that these were not mere political opinions but testable factual propositions covering crime statistics, corruption, national security and civil society organisations. He maintained that SAFM neither asked Ngobese-Zuma to substantiate any of the allegations nor alerted listeners that the claims remained unverified.
SABC found in breach of broadcasting code
The SABC defended its approach, arguing that Ngobese-Zuma's statements reflected her personal views and that the earlier Steyn interview had already exposed listeners to opposing perspectives, providing overall balance.
Rutledge rejected that reasoning, pointing out that attributing serious allegations to a guest does not automatically satisfy a broadcaster's obligations under the Free-to-Air Code. He was clear that his complaint was not about giving controversial figures a platform but about whether the factual basis of the claims had been properly examined.
Commissioner Advocate Ben Winks assessed each of Ngobese-Zuma's statements individually and found the SABC in breach of the code in every instance, noting that the claims had been presented as established facts rather than identified as opinion, supposition or unverified allegations.
Winks flagged the nature of the statements as an aggravating factor, warning that presenting such claims as fact risked fuelling contempt and discrimination against immigrants living in South Africa.
"The broadcaster was not required to silence the guest. It was required to interrogate the factual foundation of what was being presented to its audience," Rutledge said.
Winks also pointed to the broader climate of disinformation, stressing the responsibility broadcasters carry, particularly as elections draw closer.
As part of the sanction, the SABC must broadcast a summary of the commission's findings on the same programme and issue an on-air apology for the code violation. The corporation said it would use the ruling to strengthen its editorial processes, including guidance for presenters handling high-risk current affairs discussions.
Source: Getty Images
Ntsiki Mazwai calls for Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma’s arrest
Meanwhile, Briefly News previously reported that Ntsiki Mazwai took to social media boldly calling for Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's arrest.
Ngobese-Zuma had handed herself over to Durban police a day prior, facing charges of inciting violence.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
