SAfm has been fined R20,000 for making an "unjustifiable connection with Islam" during two news bulletins, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA) said on Monday.

Making the connection was "unfair", the BCCSA said in its ruling, which was handed down on Friday.

A fine of R10,000 was imposed in each case.

But the BCCSA rejected a claim that the broadcasts amounted to Islamophobia on the part of the SABC.