SABC in the clear over ‘sex scenes’

Audience advisory will now be implemented

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA) has ruled that the SABC did not breach the broadcast code of conduct by airing raunchy sex scenes in Generations: The Legacy during prime time.

This despite the commission receiving about 160 complaints over the scenes.

In a recent ruling on the matter‚ the BCCSA said the SABC “has not breached any of the provisions of the code of conduct”, but said that the broadcaster must now place an additional audience advisory whenever “ultra-suggestive sex scenes” will be shown.

The sign must read: “Today’s episode may contain some scenes which involve suggestive sex. Viewer discretion is advised”.

The BCCSA said they received about 160 complains but only four of the complainants were prepared to air their complaints in writing.

Most of these called for the soapie to either be moved to a later time slot‚ contain an age limit of 18‚ or simply be completely removed from SABC 1.

The soapie came under scrutiny late last month after a storyline saw two characters engage in foreplay. The SABC cancelled the soapie’s weekly omnibus in response.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE after the ruling‚ SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said that they made the show’s producers aware of the ruling‚ and had learnt an important lesson from the incident.

“As much as we followed proper protocol and were not guilty‚ we have learnt to be more cautious and will take our viewers’ feedback seriously. We cannot take chances‚” Kaizer said.