Radio team gets nasty
YFM programmes manager Tumelo Diaho-Monaheng could well be in for a scalding after failing to inform her bosses of a sensitive complaint laid against the youth station.
SUBJECT OF RIDICULE: Actress Maggie 'Akhona' Benedict. Picture by WATSON MCOTELIBut YFM programme manager keeps mum
The complaint was laid by listener Andrew Maringa with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) following comments made by the station's flagship breakfast show team.
The concerned Maringa also cc'd Diaho-Monaheng when he e-mailed his protest to the radio authorities.
Diaho-Monaheng dismissed Maringa and failed to let YFM CEO Kanthan Pillay know that a complaint had been laid against the station.
Pillay says he is not aware of the complaint against the presenters and that neither the BCCSA nor the programmes manager had notified him about it.
Bizarrely, the BCCSA also dismissed the complaint without investigating it, saying they could not rule on a complaint concerning anyone other than the complainant.
In Maringa's written submission, he alleges that Generations actress Maggie "Akhona" Benedict was branded as "ugly" and that her looks were likened to those of US movie star Wesley Snipes.
The unwarranted tirade against the soapie star was allegedly championed by YFM breakfast show host Mo Flava.
Maringa wrote to the BCCSA: "I was listening to the radio in the morning and they were busy going on about how ugly Maggie Benedict, who plays Akhona Miya on Generations, is. This has been going on for some time now (it happened three times already in the time I was listening).
However, Diaho-Monaheng responded: "For the record, our breakfast team did not refer to Maggie Benedict (Akhona) as an ugly-looking person.
"They merely implied that she has a resemblance to UK pop star Estelle.
"We uphold the dignity of all people at all times. We have well trained and responsible broadcasters who are well versed in the Broadcasting Code."
To make matters worse, the BCCSA says it would be difficult for them to preside over the complaint as it was not lodged by Benedict.
The BCCSA's registrar Shouneez Martin replied to Maringa: "We acknowledge receipt of your complaint and would like to advise that, in accordance with BCCSA procedural rules, when lodging a complaint we require the complainant's address as well as the date and time of broadcast.
"The complaint in our view concerns the dignity of a person and we would like to advise that BCCSA Tribunals found in previous cases that complaints involving the privacy and dignity of people other than the complainant [Akhona] are difficult to judge since we do not know what the person's reaction might have been."
malatjin@sundayworld.co.za
Comments
cocomercedess
Making an honest living and working hard at what she love, and to be faced with such senseless comments by these YFM presenters is highly disappointing especially from public figures whom we expect not to take part in speaking ill of our fellow sisters doing it for themselves. When is it ever enough?!bobo123
REALY ? I MEAN THE GIRL REALLY IS UGLY LOOKING, SHE MIGHT BE A GOOD ACTOR THOUGH, I DONT BELIEVE THEY STILL PLAY THAT STUPID SHOW ON SABC 1, IS THAT THE BEST THEY CAN DO FOR ALL THE MONEY WE PAY TO SABC? SO WHAT IF SHE IS UGLY SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE IM UGLY TOO PEOPLE NEED TO CHILL!besterthabang
i hope your right mr thats what we call unity those are our sisters in the nation so lets treat them with respect and dignity i dont know why this dark people are like that?Muriel_RefilwePhele
Hi,i also have a problem with people judging cos i got big tits but then it doesnt get to me @ all.I know i am beautiful in and outside so to hell with them!Akhona is the best thing Generations has brought.I must say iYFM needs to deal with the DJ accordingly.Fancylibra
1st of all no 1 has a right to judge a person by their looks, even if she can be ugly as u may hv said, she's much more decent that other so called "beautiful" ppl out there & even the person who said that is not so good looking. so in future b4 u can comment about some1 else, take a close look @ yoself.Amazed
I think it is really disturbing to think that people can demean another human being like this.The station must take a strong stand against the DJ if it is true.I like Akhona in fact she is not ugly.she looks ok to me and she is very talented.Still_leShandis
- Akhona is a brilliant actor, and she is not ugly......watch this space, that one is going far....just jealousy.....ladygaga
i love akhona shem, she is a great actor.mara yena wa tshwananyana le wesley snipes
Mdaa
Who does this stupid DJ think he/she is, Who gives him/her a right tojudge what God has created, In his or her own explanation how does he/she measure beauty, can she define beauty? Mmago ha a go ruta molao jou moeskont!DeeAnn
That's one of the reasons I don't listen to that immature, non-constructive youth station. DJ Mo is ugly himself, who does he really think he is?Sebethu
Oh Of course small minded people spend time undermining other people to make themselves feel important. Whether ugly or not, she did not have a choice in the matter like the rest of us and she should not have to be ridiculed for it. Amazing how people perpetuate self hatred and when it manifests in damaging ways, they are suprised.Akhona is a brilliant actress, how about talking about that and how refreshing it is to watch people who are good at their craft etc
Liberiangal
i like the gal more than i like Dineo Mashaba. ungabanaki wena cc, u just go on do what you do best.Mdaa
That is y i never listen to the stupid radio, had i listened that day i would have phoned in and exposed that idiot DJ, thank you to the listenor that put in a complaint, and BCC thank you for nothing you ass holes. Akhona the sky is the limit for you girl! they are jealous of you true African womanwmoyo
akhona keep your head up these DJs feel they are above the worldRead all 25 comments