Broadcasting Monitoring and Complaints Committee (BMCC)
The BMCC is a standing committee of ICASA, established under sections 21 and 22 of the ICASA Act. It consists of five members - a chairperson, an ICASA Councillor and three other members.
 
If a member of the public is concerned that a broadcaster is not observing its conditions of licence, particularly the Code of Conduct for Programming, that person may complain to ICASA about the broadcaster.

The Broadcasting Monitoring and Complaints Department
The Department consists of full-time employees of ICASA. It is divided into the Complaints Section and the Monitoring Section.

The Complaints Section consists of two Complaints Officers. It receives complaints from the public, engages in correspondence to complainants and broadcasters, and arranges hearings for the BMCC. The Code of Conduct states that broadcasters may not broadcast any material which is indecent or offensive to the religion or morals of any section of the South African public. It also requires broadcasters to provide balanced and impartial news coverage, and to allow parties which are criticised on its programmes the right to reply to that criticism. Broadcasters are also compelled to air different views when broadcasting matters of controversial public importance.

If you believe that a broadcaster is guilty of misconduct you may lodge a complaint with the ICASA's Monitoring and Complaints Department in writing or by telephone within 30 days after the broadcast.

The Monitoring & Complaints Department will inform you whether the complaint falls within the authority of the BMCC or another independent body recognised by the Independent Communications Authority of S.A.

If your complaint relates to the Code of Conduct for broadcasters or the ICASA Act, the Monitoring & Complaints Department will send a copy of your complaint to the broadcaster concerned.

The broadcaster will be required to respond in writing to your complaint.

You may appeal to the Chairperson of the BMCC if you believe that the broadcaster's response is not satisfactory. The Monitoring & Complaints Department may of its own accord decide to forward your complaint to the BMCC Chairperson.

The BMCC Chairperson will make the final decision about whether your complaint will be submitted to a formal BMCC hearing. You will be notified of this decision in writing.

At the hearing you will be entitled to make a presentation on your complaint to the BMCC. If you are unable to attend the hearing, documents relating to your complaint will be presented to the BMCC. The hearing will be open to the public.

After the hearing the BMCC will take a decision. If your complaint is upheld, the BMCC will make recommendations to the ICASA Council on the action to be taken against the broadcaster. You will be notified in writing of the outcome of the Council's decision. 
 
IF YOU WANT TO COMPLAIN, PLEASE CONTACT:

Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)
Monitoring and Complaints Department
Private Bag X10002
SANDTON, 2146

Tel.: Fikile Skosana (011) 321-8493  or  Lindisa Mabulu (011) 321-8488
Fax: (011) 444-1461  or  (011) 444-1691 
 
OTHER ORGANISATIONS:

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has established the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) to receive and decide on complaints about its members. The BCCSA ensures that these broadcasters adhere to its Code of Conduct and receives and decides on complaints concerning member broadcasters.

To complain to the BCCSA, please contact:
 
The Registrar
Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa
P.O. Box 412365
CRAIGHALL, 2024 
Tel.: (011) 781-2955
Fax: (011) 787-0280
  
The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) is an independent body set up and paid for by the advertising industry to ensure that its system of self-regulation works in the public interest. The members of the ASA are required to observe the ASA Code.

If you want to complain about an advertisement broadcast on television or radio, please contact:
 
Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa
P.O. Box 41555
CRAIGHALL, 2024 
Tel: (011) 781-2006
Fax: (011) 781-1616