DStv porn decision welcomed
2010-03-12 20:06
Johannesburg - The Film and Publication Board (FPB) on Friday welcomed MultiChoice's decision not to launch a porn channel, echoing other sentiments that this was in the best interest of children.
"This is a victory for the children's right movement as well as for the general public," its chief executive officer Yoliswa Makhasi said in a statement.
There was little doubt that children's exposure to pornographic material may be considered a form of sexual abuse, she said.
The FPB had opposed MultiChoice's porn channel proposal on the grounds that the Film and Publication Amendment Act 2009 prohibited the distribution and broadcasting of hardcore pornography on public platforms.
"Films of this nature should only be distributed in licenced adult shops... or through other suitable channels as regulated by the FPB," said Makhasi.
Storm of complaints
The proposed porn channel had generated a storm of complaints from a number of religious, political and children's rights groups.
The FPB's reaction followed that of Solidarity Helping Hand, which also described the decision as a "victory" for children in South Africa.
"Helping Hand thanks the more than 47 000 South Africans who, to date, have stood up and said no to pornography," executive director Dr Danie Langner said in a statement.
"The victory shows that every South African has a voice and can take a stand against decisions that promote the moral decay of our country."
"South Africans will not simply go along with decisions that may have harmful consequences."
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Friday that the satellite television service's contemplation of a 24-hour porn channel was "inconceivable", risking children to unnecessary exposure.
In a statement on Thursday, MultiChoice said the idea for a 24-hour porn channel had been disbanded.
Decision based on research
Chief executive officer Nolo Letele said research indicated that a significant portion of subscribers was against adult channels.
This, however, while other people were indifferent to it and another significant number positive. MultiChoice announced last month that it was conducting research on the idea of launching a porn channel.
The announcement of the porn channel-related survey sparked objections from some organisations and prompted Solidarity to launch a campaign in which the public voted against the launch of such a channel on DStv.
By Wednesday a total of 41 381 South Africans had already voted no to the channel in Solidarity's Helping Hand campaign.
Misinterpreted
"It was unfortunate that the research conducted was misinterpreted by some people to mean that a decision was made to introduce an adult content channel on our bouquets," Letele said.
He said MultiChoice regularly conducted research to test viewer's tastes and impressions of existing and new television channels to improve customer service.
This research often included questions looking at content requested by consumers or channels that succeed abroad, Letele said.
"The research survey conducted about three weeks ago focused on adult content, since some competitors about to launch in South Africa may or may not include adult channels on their services," he said.
- SAPA