eNCA is free to use the word 'blackout' instead of Eskom's euphemistic 'load-shedding' on-screen to inform DStv subscribers about South Africa's electricity woes.

by Thinus Ferreira

eMedia's South African TV news channel eNCA (DStv 403) is fully allowed to use the word "blackout" on-screen instead of Eskom's euphemistic moniker "load-shedding" in order to keep DStv subscribers informed of the nature, severity and stages of Eskom's blackouts and the country's electricity capacity woes.

Following a complaint about eNCA's use of the word "blackout" as a notification in the top right-hand corner of the screen instead of "load-shedding", the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) dismissed the complaint.

While the complaint to the BCCSA was about eNCA, the South African public broadcaster's SABC News (DStv 404) channel has also switched a few months ago from using the word "load-shedding" to "blackout" after the severity of Eskom's unending electricity curtailment process dramatically increased in severity.

A DStv subscriber Nhlanhla Gumede complained in May that eNCA's use of "blackout" on screen gives the "wrong impression" about South Africa's crippling electricity problems caused by Eskom, and makes it look as if "things are worse than they are when it comes to electricity supply in South Africa".

Nhlanhla Gumede told the BCCSA in the complaint that "these journalists and their bosses are simply arrogant and have become law unto themselves. It is my understanding that you mandate among other things, is to reign them in. You could check their respective channels' screen and you will see that and then ask them if they know it is there."

The complainant said that eNCA "sensationalise an issue" by using the word "blackout" to refer to the lack of electricity, instead of Eskom's word of "load-shedding".

The BBCSA noted that the complaint falls outside its jurisdiction and that "any intervention by the BCCSA in this regard will constitute an interference with the broadcaster's editorial discretion".

"If for whatever reason the broadcaster sees it fit to utilise the words 'blackouts' instead of  'load shedding' it is definitely its prerogative to put up the latter, for as long as there is no contravention of the provisions of the Code the BCCSA cannot intervene."

"All factors considered there is no contravention of any of the provisions of the Code of Conduct, thus the complaint is accordingly dismissed."