Media group joins ConCourt challenge to gag order

The three ‘whistle-blowers’ who were recently gagged by solar panel company ARTsolar from making ‘defamatory allegations’ that it was importing rather than locally manufacturing its solar panels, have challenged the order on constitutional grounds.

DStv sanctioned over 'misleading' promo ad

MultiChoice's DStv has been sanctioned by the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) and ordered to amend or withdraw one of its advertisements following a complaint from a consumer.

News24 rebuked for McKenzie 'gravy train' headline

The headline last year titled ‘Send me! McKenzie’s gravy train to Paris Olympics cost taxpayers R800 000,’ published by News24 a few months after Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s trip to the games, was misleading and in breach of the Press Code, the Deputy Press Ombud found, says GroundUp.

Legal storm brewing over StarSat shutdown

Pay-TV operator StarSat has said it is exploring its legal options after Icasa raided its offices and disconnected services.

StarSat prepared to fight to keep broadcasting

Satellite operator StarSat is prepared to return to court to prevent its platform being shut down after a directive by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa).

SABC proposes household levy to replace licences

The SABC is pushing for a major overhaul of its funding model, proposing to replace the TV licence system with a household levy and additional funding from the state to deal with the broadcaster’s financial crisis.

Publications ordered to apologise for abusive column

The Press Ombudsman has found that the publication by The Sunday Independent newspaper and IOL of an abusive opinion piece has caused ‘severe harm’ to the personal and professional reputation of News24 journalist Karyn Maughan, and that the publications should apologise and remove the piece.

Growing concerns over misinformation and fake news

SA news consumers are increasingly concerned about misinformation and the spreading of fake news, a new report on digital media trends shows.

Sactwu case against Sekunjalo dismissed with costs

The case brought by the SA Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) against Sekunjalo and Independent Media has been dismissed by Western Cape High Court Judge Michelle O’Sullivan, says a report in The Star.

MultiChoice off the hook over ‘racially sensitive’ ad

The Advertising Regulatory Board said MultiChoice did nothing wrong in its advert promoting its streaming service, DStv Stream.

Court dismisses attempt to gag Mail & Guardian

The Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg) has struck an application for a prior restraint of publication order against the Mail & Guardian off the urgent roll.

Husband ordered to pay maintenance pending divorce

A husband has been ordered by Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg) Acting Judge Mohamed to pay his estranged wife R18 000 for spousal maintenance after she was allegedly forced to move out of their marital home and now lives in KZN with her boyfriend.

Takealot escapes ARB wrath over delivery claims

Takealot escaped the wrath of the advertising watchdog after it was found customers were not misled with the ‘next day delivery’ claim as various terms and conditions, like time of order, location, and stock availability, should be considered.

Ban on electronic equipment in Gumede case challenged

The media is challenging a court ban against the use of cellphones, laptops, and video and audio recordings in the corruption trial of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 others.

SARS may collect SABC TV licences

A new proposal to ditch the SABC’s TV licences for a ring-fenced tax collected by SARS is on the cards as less than a fifth of viewers are paying, notes a Cape Argus report.

Board clears Sex Expo advert

SA’s Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) found nothing wrong with The Sex Expo's advert of a woman's buttocks in a G-string after 13 complainants said it was offensive, degrading to women, and harmful to children, reports News24.

Judge takes aim at Moti Group’s gag order

It is hard to understand on what basis a judge could have granted an order in favour of the Moti Group prohibiting news organisation amaBhungane from publishing more articles based on documents apparently leaked by a former employee, Gauteng Deputy Judge President Ronald Sutherland said yesterday.

Cape Town outdoor signs illegal

The Constitutional Court has confirmed a January 2022 Western Cape High Court ruling on the illegality of the outdoor advertising signs and structures on the façade of the Overbeek Building at the intersection of Long and Kloof streets and that it’s the city’s job to regulate such adverts.

TV licence definition upsets consumers

A seemingly minor change in the wording of the SABC’s TV licence reminder e-mails has consumers up in arms.

Commission wants Google adverts downgraded

The Competition Commission wants Google to better identify adverts that come up in searches and place them lower down the page from organic search results, while also recommending that Google not be the built-in search option on SA mobile phones.