SABC REACTS WITH CONCERN TO CLAIM OF BANNING OF FISH AND CHIP COMPANY ADVERT

Johannesburg, Tuesday 27 November 2012 -The South African Broadcasting (SABC) has noted with concern the headline by The Star newspaper: ‘SABC bans Zuma Advert' published today. The headline makes no reference to the advert actually being for fish and chips.

The SABC reserves the right to exercise editorial control over all content, as per our trading terms, licence conditions, and public broadcast mandate. We are of the view that the advert implied an endorsement of the product sold by the Fish and Chip Company.

In line with SABC trading terms and conditions, material for broadcasting a television advert must be received five (5) working days before broadcast, therefore allowing the SABC an opportunity to do all the technical and quality checks and reviews as required.

In the case of this advertisement, the SABC received the material from the agency electronically at 14:09 on Friday 23 November 2012 for flighting on Monday 26 November 2012.

Of interest is that by 16:00 Monday afternoon, the advert had been uploaded on the internet video platform, YouTube by Fish and Chip Company, and communication with the media was already taking place. At that point, there had been no formal correspondence to Metropolitan Republic Group, regarding the SABC's position on the advert.

Statement issued by Kaizer Kganyago, SABC Group Communications, November 27 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter