SABC3’s controversial reality-documentary series MAN has not been yanked off air. The 13-part series, which began airing at the end of January, has raised eyebrows and courted controversy from episode 1, with its frank discussions on casual sex, drugs and homosexuality raising the ire of viewers.
A Facebook “Ban Man” page clamouring for its removal and another group who has lobbied the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) today (Monday March 1, 2010) claimed that they had succeeded in their efforts to persuade the SABC to pull the show off air. A BCCSA spokesman conceded that four cases against the series had been investigated and summarily dismissed. According to show creator and African Renaissance Productions director Michael Raimondo, the SABC has obligations to screen sporting fixtures and the current 20/20 cricket season will take temporary precedence for just under a fortnight and the show will resume on Friday, March 19. “While not ideal for the show’s continuity, the MAN creators and management have accepted the SABC’s sport stipulations and we assure our viewers that the second half of the season will be well worth the wait,” said Raimondo.
Raimondo scoffed at rumours that the show has been removed. “I can assure all viewers and the media community that we have not been banned, we are not the subject of a BCCSA investigation, and look forward to the rest of the series.
