Child porn under spotlight

2005-06-02 11:36

Port Elizabeth - Delegates are gathered in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape to find solutions to child problems posed by child pornography, government news agency BuaNews reported on Thursday.

The two-day conference, themed "Unite against child pornography," was organised by the Film and Publication Board (FPB) and the department of home affairs (DHA) to take place during Child Protection Week.

The FPB is a regulatory authority with a mission to contribute to the transformation of the society by acting for constitutional rights and freedom, the right to dignity of all and with special regard to the protection of children from exposure to potentially disturbing, harmful and inappropriate materials.

Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is among dignitaries who will address the conference.

Home affairs spokesperson, Nkosana Sibuyi said the conference was being held against a background of increasing incidents of child pornography due to abuse of technology, especially the internet.

"Our children are our future, so this conference seeks to ensure that we get the nation talking and finding solutions to this sad phenomenon of child pornography," said Sibuyi.

The conference is also being held at a time when the Films and Publications Act has been amended to make the investigation and prosecution of child pornography offenders more effective.

According to the Act, it is also an offence to possess, create, produce, distribute, import, access, advertise or promote child pornography images. Each of these acts carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

Failure to report knowledge of child pornography images to the police is also an offence. It is also an offence to expose children to pornography. - BuaNews

- News24