SECTOR 4 The Ombudsman can demand that a newspaper publish a prominent apology, as well as the findings of the Press Council, if it has been found to be in the wrong. Many of the complaints to the Ombudsman are not really about unfair reporting, but are accusations of hidden agendas, and these cases generally don’t see the light of day. “Many South Africans are defensive and don’t want to be the subject of negative news. As a result they claim inaccuracies or unfairness, but the media is mostly vindicated in such cases.” For the broadcasting sector there are two complaints bodies – the statutory Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC), a body set up by the regulator, ICASA, and a self-regulatory body under the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) called the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA). The SABC and commercial and community broadcasters who are members of NAB have opted for self-regulation. Any broadcaster who is not part of the NAB (for example, some community broadcasters, who cannot afford the NAB membership fees) falls under the CCC. They operate under similar codes and sanctions, and generally abide by any rulings. The BCCSA is very active and regularly broadcasts spots on radio and television to encourage the public to approach the commission if they are unhappy with the content being broadcast. Criticism was made that the BCCSA, chaired by law professor Kobus van Rooyen (who also headed the apartheid-era censorship board, the Publications Appeal Board), is run as his “personal fiefdom”. “I don’t feel the broadcasting community is embracing this commission as their selfregulatory body, and broadcasters are being disserved by the BCCSA. There seems to be a lack of balance on the BCCSA panel, appointed by Prof. Van Rooyen directly with no public process. There are no journalists or people with freedom of expression at heart on the panel. Certain members are conservative religious people.” Others felt that the critical focus on the BCCSA should not be on Prof Van Rooyen but on revamping the broader principles of industry self-regulation and balance within the body in general Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 62 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2013 3.9 (2010: 3.1; 2008: 4.2; 2006: 4.2)