e.tv can broadcast condom ads during Scandal!, the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa rules.

Following complaints from viewers, the commercial free-to-air broadcaster e.tv is allowed to broadcast condom adverts during its prime time soap, Scandal!, the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa has ruled.

Viewers complained to the ASA about Durex condom ads from Reckitt Benckiser South Africa shown during the local prime time soap with the Durex Real Feel commercial showing a man and woman touching and kissing each other while taking their clothes off and the voiceover "Now every touch can feel more real with Durex Real Feel, our first condom with the real feeling of skin on skin" and the words "Love sex" displayed on screen.

One viewer complained and said that Scandal! on e.tv has an age restriction of 13 years older and that condom ads shouldn't be shown during the timeslot when children are watching. The complainant said that the current South African legislation recognises the age of consent for sex as 16 years and older. 

Another complainant raised similar issues.

This is the third time that e.tv viewers complained about condom commercials, following complaints in March 2012, and again in December 2016. In 2014 following viewer complaints about Lovers Plus condom ads on SABC3, the ad agency Joe Public SA agreed to move the condom ads later after the ASA ruled that it was shown during inappropriate timeslots.

In the latest case, e.tv told the ASA that the viewers' complaints  undermine efforts to educate people about HIV prevention.

e.tv told the ASA that the Broadcasting Code permits e.tv to broadcast 13 years age restricted material before the watershed period and that the content and themes of Scandal! is in line with the commercial, and that in terms of the Children's Act of 2005 and the Sexual Offences Related Matters Amendment Act of 2007, adolescents above the age of 12 can have access to contraceptives and HIV testing without the need for parental approval.

Reckitt Benckiser South Africa argued that Scandal! on e.tv frequently deals with romantic affairs and the advertisement of this kind would be in line with the themes usually dealt with on the show. The ASA agreed.

"A parent who is allowing their child to watch Scandal! cannot then be outraged when the child is exposed to sexual content or references. It can be assumed that a child of over 13, who is allowed to watch content such as Scandal!, should have been exposed to appropriate sexual education to be able to understand the commercial before us," the ASA ruled.

"In addition, they should be watching in the company of an adult who is able to explain the content to them if they are confused or disturbed. The Directorate is satisfied that there is nothing in the commercial that would adversely affect a child of over 13."

"While true that the commercial promotes a product that is intimately related to sex, it does not do so in an uncouth or overtly sexual manner. The visuals used are not unlike images frequently seen on soapies or in fashion magazines, and is not 'explicit' as suggested by the complainants."

BREAKING. The SABC performs: distributes 4 000 condoms, tests tap water for cholera, and tackles its sick building syndrome.

You're reading it here first.

Maybe it's all the episodes of Intersexions. It is after all a hit SABC1 show.

The good news is that not everything's totally abysmal at the SABC. The SABC saw it fit to include in the South African public broadcaster's latest annual report of 2010/2011 that the SABC did exceed at least one target. And by far.

The SABC deems it of interest to note that 4 000 condoms were distributed inside the SABC during the year under review as part of various employee wellness initiatives. The target was for only 2 500 condoms. The SABC is also testing tap water for cholera and tackling ''sick building syndrome'' - but as it relates to the physical building of its Auckland Park headquarters, not the corporate culture.

The SABC says its Employee Wellness Programme ''enjoyed strong visibility'' during the 2010/2011 financial year, which relaunched with a new service provider. Wellness promotions included Flu Vaccine Month, No Tobacco Day, Financial Wellness and Men's Health Day.

The SABC that brags about the broadcaster's ''state of the art corporate gym'', has 900 members with an average of 2 000 permanent and contract workers who use the gym monthly. ''More than 500 aerobics classes that include kata-box, spinning and body conditioning have been presented by professional instructors,'' says the SABC.

Several ''noise surveys and air quality tests'' have also been conducted to maintain a conducive work environment for employees, says the SABC in its annual report. ''Audiometric tests have been conducted on employees that were exposed to more than 85 decibels in identified noise zones''.

Because the SABC ''is committed to creating a healthy environment for all its employees'', the SABC has ''embarked on a biological programme to reduce the sick building syndrome effect.''

Noise, air quality and light surveys have been conducted at Auckland Park as well as most of the SABC's provincial offices, where shortcomings were identified. ''Water quality tests are done regularly to ensure that the tap water in the SABC buildings is clear of algae and cholera free.''

Bless.

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