CAPE TOWN — On Digital Media (ODM), which runs the TopTV pay TV platform, has gone on the defensive over its planned porn bouquet, issuing a press statement saying that pornography “is harmless” and that “TopTV does not apologise for giving those who do wish to view adult content on television access to such content”.
At launch in May 2010, ODM CEO Vino Govender said TopTV would not run pornographic channels as part of TopTV’s business plan, saying “we are running our business with strong Christian ethical codes and we are not planning to introduce a porn channel. Besides, we don’t want to poison the minds of the millions of South African children out there”.
In September 2011 the company signed a carriage agreement with Playboy TV UK/Benelux to broadcast three channels — Adult XXX, Private Spice and Playboy Europe — as a stand-alone package with a separate subscription of R199, saying “stagnating to past statements will not serve the changed needs from our clients or assist our growth”.
TopTV issued a press statement on Monday citing pornography research, TopTV’s own porn package research, and explaining its porn plans again.
In the press release TopTV said pornography is “not only harmless, but it also reduces incidence of sex crimes in communities and in countries where people have free, non-stigmatised access to it”.
In the press release TopTV said Dr Marlene Wasserman, known as Dr Eve to millions of South Africans, is calling TopTV’s initiative “a bold move”.
She said there were scant models for children around healthy relationships and sexuality. “Poverty, unemployment, inadequate healthcare and poor education leads to sexual violence. Adult content does not,” said the press release.”