'Jesus interview' sparks waves
2004-03-10 22:39
Pretoria - Comparisons between the crucifixion of Jesus and "Kamp Staaldraad" in an "interview with Jesus" have led to 5fm disc jockey Gareth Cliff being suspended from his radio station for the rest of the week.
Cliff is also known as one of the judges in the second South African Idols series.
John Langford, station manager at 5fm, said on Wednesday that they received "more complaints than usual" after Cliff's programme on Tuesday afternoon.
One of them, Mark van Wyk of Krugersdorp, said Cliff conducted the "interview with Jesus" in reaction to Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ.
Cliff asked several sarcastic questions. Van Wyk felt that Cliff was ridiculing Jesus and Christianity.
Among other things, he compared the crucifixion of Jesus with the controversial Springbok boot camp, known as "Kamp Staaldraad".
DJ apologised on air
He also referred to Jesus' multiplication of bread and fish and said it was like making one box of popcorn be enough for 5 000 people watching a movie.
Van Wyk complained to 5fm, but also lodged a complaint with the broadcasting complaints commission of South Africa.
Langford said on Wednesday that if one listened to the programme content, listeners could interpret it as inciting.
The complaints had to do with the direction of the interview in general and not so much about specific aspects such as the "Staaldraad" analogy.
If the programme content had been submitted to the station manager beforehand, it would not have received the go-ahead.
Cliff apologised on air on Wednesday afternoon. Langford said the disc jockey would be back on air on Monday.