Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 09-02-2018

Former Gupta owned television channel ANN7 has been fined R 80,000 and ordered to apologise after the broadcaster repeatedly played a video clip defaming African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu.

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa Tribunal (BCCSA) found ANN7 was in serious breach of the Code of Conduct following the broadcast of the video.

On 27 and 28 November 2017, ANN7, broadcast the video in which six Members of Parliament (MP’s), preceding a parliamentary debate on state capture, made comments, which the BCCSA tribunal found to be highly defamatory, insulting and were false allegations against the Mthembu.

ANN7 also uploaded the video onto their YouTube channel.

In its judgement, the tribunal found that “a news conference” was crafted between the six MP’s and ANN7 and that the broadcast and was intended to sabotage Mthembu’s political career.

Its say contravention of the code was found because Mthembu was not offered the opportunity to reply to allegations admitted by ANN7.

“Despite an apology by the Broadcaster, a maximum fine of R80 000 was imposed and the Broadcaster was ordered to broadcast an apology for two consecutive days during times that correspond with the times on which the offending broadcasts were flighted.”

ANN7 has indicated that the apology will be broadcast on the 16th February 2018 at 8PM in every news hour wheel untill 17th February 5PM.

Mthembu’s office has welcomed the judgement.