THE Film and Publication Board will oppose the move by MultiChoice to launch a 24-hour pornography channel in a bid to protect children from being exposed to sexually explicit material, writes Lyse Comins in the Daily News.
Film and Publication Board (FPB) CEO Yoliswe Makhasi said on Tuesday that the board had approached the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to find out whether MultiChoice had made any formal submission to the regulator for the proposed channel.
MultiChoice recently sent a survey to subscribers as part of its research to establish whether there was a market for adult content, after it had been "inundated" with requests for the material. However, the announcement of the research received opposition last week from religious groups and child activist organisations.
Makhasi said it was illegal under section 26(i) (d) of the Films and Publication Act to broadcast hardcore pornography and it was a criminal offence under the Criminal Laws, Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act to expose children to sexually explicit material.
"The Films and Publications Act 1996 mandates the Film and Publication Board to regulate media content distributed through DVD, cinema, interactive games and certain publication formats. The act prohibits the broadcasting of hardcore pornography on public platforms. It makes it very clear that such films should only be distributed via licensed adult shops," Makhasi said.
MultiChoice general manager for corporate affairs Jackie Rakita said the survey had been sent to a limited number of subscribers who were over the age of 25.
"MultiChoice conducts research into viewers' preference on an ongoing basis. In the past few months, MultiChoice has been inundated with requests to provide adult content on DStv. If launched, MultiChoice will ensure all the necessary safeguards are in place to prevent young viewers from accessing content of an adult nature," Rakita said.
Click here to read the full report, posted on iol.co.za.
