International broadcasters and TV news outlets have allegedly all been charged $3000 (R26 520) each for clips of TV footage of the dead model Reeva Steenkamp appearing in SABC1's Tropika Island of Treasure 5, Britain's Independent newspaper reported yesterday.
According to the newspaper, "at least a dozen networks" bought the rights, which means the footage which appeared on Sky News on Saturday as well as in the news bulletins of American TV networks were not made available for free.
Even E! News gave extensive coverage to Tropika Island of Treasure 5 and Reeva Steenkamp - a South African first on that daily American news show.
The clips were taken from what appeared to be Reeva Steenkamp's exit interview from Tropika Island of Treasure 5 when she leaves the show which was filmed in Jamaica. It was broadcast worldwide and could be seen in South Africa on Saturday during the day in heavy rotation before the first episode was broadcast the evening on SABC1.
Early on Thursday model Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead in the head by the Olympic and paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.
SABC1 as well as the production company Stimulii both issued separate press statements saying Tropika Island of Treasure 5 which was set to start on Saturday with it's first episode, will go ahead as a tribute to Reeva Steenkamp despite her violent death.
Oscar Pistorius faces a case of premeditated murder and is set to appear in court again on Tuesday on the same day as a funeral will be held for Reeva Steenkamp in Port Elizabeth.
According to the Independent, women's rights groups in South Africa are now calling from the proceeds of Tropika Island of Treasure 5 to be donated to charity.
The Cape Town based group "RIP Reeva Steenkamp" told the Independent that it's also calling for a donation in Reeva Steenkamp's name to charity. "Let's be honest, the only reason the SABC and the producers are going ahead with the broadcast of this show is because of the increase in exposure and viewership they'll be getting."
I approached the SABC and SABC1 with questions about the profits made from Tropika Island of Treasure 5. The SABC refused to answer those questions and referred the media enquiry to the producers. The same media enquiry with the same questions was also made to the producers who have not (yet?) responded.
I wanted to know: Can someone please confirm whether international broadcasters were given the clips from Tropika Island of Treasure 5 with Reeva Steenkamp as a free courtesy or were they charged $3000 each to show clips? What will the SABC be doing with the money?
There have been requests made that money from this advertiser-funded production be donated in Reeva Steenkamp's name to a cause and charity. Would the SABC and production be doing that since the programme is being broadcast as a tribute to her?
