Cathy vs Natal Witness

SUMMARY

This ruling by Deputy Press Ombud Johan Retief was based on the Press Code that was in effect before 30 September 2022.

One Cathy complained that the jokes in “Taxitainment” were inter alia vulgar; sexist; denigrating of women; that they fostered violence towards women; and that they portrayed women as subhuman receptacles for male enjoyment.

Retief dismissed the complaint, because:

• some of the jokes were vulgar – but not to the extent that they fell outside the prevailing moral climate;
• the use of symbols to denote swearing was an accepted, normal journalistic practice;
• the reference to women’s private parts was in bad taste, but no crude words were used that fell outside the scope of the prevailing moral climate; and
• he could not find any example of a joke that fostered violence towards women or was sexist or denigratory of women to such an extent that they fell outside the sphere of the existing moral climate.

THE RULING ITSELF

Dear Cathy

• are vulgar;
• are sexist;
• denigrate women;
• use symbols to denote swearing;
• refer to women’s private parts;
• foster violence towards women; and
• portray women as subhuman receptacles for male enjoyment.

1. Some of them are vulgar, yes – but not to the extent that they fall “outside” the prevailing moral climate.
2. The use of symbols to denote swearing is an accepted, normal journalistic practice.
3. The reference to women’s private parts is in bad taste, but no crude words are used that fall outside the scope of the prevailing moral climate.
4. I can find no example of a joke that fosters violence towards women, or is sexist or denigrate women to such an extent that it falls outside the sphere of the existing moral climate.