'Old farts': It's ANN7 that stinks

After an error-strewn debut, ANN7 has to contend with an outcry over a billboard that says the news channel is free of "old farts" .

On Tuesday, the SA Older Person's Forum lodged a complaint with the SA Human Rights Commission and the Advertising Standards Authority about the billboard on the N1 near Sandton.

The billboard features the face of an elderly man alongside the caption: "We aren't old farts...nah, not even our presenters."

"Despite the fact that much has been published in the media about the way the elderly in our country are abused, degraded and treated without respect by others, ANN7 have taken it upon themselves to further fuel negative stereotypes by referring to the elderly as 'old farts'," the forum said.

The controversy drew a number of online comments, with one internet user saying ANN7 desperately needed the talents of retired news anchor Riaan Cruywagen.

Another said: "Do us old farts really want to be associated with that bunch of clowns? They can't even read!"

The Times conducted an informal poll among retired citizens.

Angus Mathieson, 75, said while the advert did not offend him, the channel did, stating: "They should bomb that channel off TV."

But his partner Carolyn, 69, disagreed: "It's a bit disrespectful. The words 'old farts' are something men might say in a pub ."