Broadcaster reprimanded over wrestling footage

MULTICHOICE has been reprimanded for screening a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) promotional clip during family viewing time.

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa received a complaint after the clip popped up during a cricket match watched by a parent and two sons‚ aged three and seven.

The complainant said the wrestling was violent and inappropriate for children.

“My kids have now been exposed to this violent content and my three-year-old has started emulating what he sees on this advert,” the complainant said.

“My problem is that SuperSport is playing age-restricted content on a family channel‚ during a family programme.

“The latest incident happened on Thursday January 25 2018.”

In an initial ruling‚ the adjudicator was of the opinion that the footage was not excessively violent and said that parents could afterwards explain to their children the nature of wrestling matches. The complaint was not upheld. The ruling was appealed and in a second finding‚ it was found that the footage contained violent material unsuitable for young children who were watching a family programme during family viewing time.

The broadcaster received a reprimand. – Petru Saal