STATEMENT BY MOEGSIEN WILLIAMS, EDITOR OF THE STAR, TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS

STATEMENT BY MOEGSIEN WILLIAMS, EDITOR OF THE STAR, TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS

From our records, the advertisement was placed through Computicket on 13th September for placement in The Star on the 14th and the 15th September (annexure A).

An inputter, using the raw data from Computicket, placed the advertisement in the classified but instead of typing a "21-year-old curvaceous babe" he erroneously typed in a "12-year-old curvaceous babe". The error unfortunately slipped through our checks and appeared in The Star's classified section the next day, 14th September (annexure B).

The error was noticed the next day by one of our checkers (Farieda - annexure C) and corrected for the classified section of the 15th September (annexure D).

The inputter has been duly counselled and disciplined in accordance with the company's internal disciplinary porcedures. In mitigation, however, I would like to beg your indulgence, Mr Chairperson, to explain how an error of this nature could arise. People like the inputter responsible work under incredible daily deadline pressure and have to process a voluminous number of words , get it onto a page in the classified section and to our printers by 5pm every day .

The second part of my input deals with measures we have in place to safeguard the sensibilities of our readers. Our classified inputters, who in most instances take dictates from clients on the telephone, have a list of prohibited words not allowed for publication in the adult entertainment advertisements (annexure E). The people involved in the adult entertainment industry are and can be quite creative so the list gets longer every day.

We have also introduced a policy code for staff working on our classified section (annexure F) and which forms part of their letter and conditions of employment. It's introductory paragraph states "Independent Newspapers is committed to the respect of human dignity and freedom of expression. We are committed to abiding by the laws of the land and as such, this policy guideline has been established".

It lists the banned words and further warns of disciplinary action if the policy is disregarded. It reminds them of their obligation, should they in the course of their work come across information regarding child pornography, to inform the police.

I wish to apologise , on behalf of The Star and Independent Newspapers, for the error and express our sincere commitment as a newspaper and company to uphold and respect the human dignity of all South Africans.