ICASA's Porn Channel Decision is Appalling

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The hundreds of submissions sent in by concerned citizens opposing the channels, were also ignored.


Last year, ICASA refused TOP TV a licence for these exact same channels on the basis that “a women’s right to dignity outweighed Top TV’s right to freedom of expression, and the “rights” of viewers to receive pornography on television.” Why do these reasons no longer apply?


Women’s Constitutional Rights
Pornography discriminates against the rights of women to dignity, equality and protection from hate speech. Pornography often depicts women in degrading, humiliating ways and as sex objects - existing only for men’s sexual pleasure. Women are also often called derogatory names and subject to violent acts.


Not in Public Interest
In no way would these porn channels be ‘in the public interest. Porn channels with pin codes and so-called locking devices present very little challenge to an increasingly ‘tech savvy’ computer generation.

We have reports from Safeline and the Teddybear Clinic who counselled children who watched porn films screened on E-TV. Some of these children even sexually abused other children as a result.

We shudder to think of the women and children who will be abused because their husband/father got addicted to watching porn on TOP TV.

Pornography is as addictive and destructive as hard-core drugs. Hard-core drugs are illegal, porn should be too.

BCCSA Code
The BCCSA Code has also been ignored. The Broadcasting Complaints Commission Code published in 2011 allows the broadcast of sexually explicit material, after the watershed time, except for “explicit sexual conduct”(X18) and XX material.

Whilst the BCCSA is a self-regulating body, the Code should have at least informed ICASA’s decision.


International Protocol Obligations
International Protocol obligations have also been ignored by ICASA. The African Charter, for example, says state parties should “take effective legislative and administrative measures to prevent the exploitation and abuse of women in advertising and pornography.”

Appalling
We therefore believe that in the light of the harmful effects of pornography, the above international obligations, Broadcasting Code obligations, the license granted to TOP TV is undemocratic, discriminatory, and exploitative.

Boycott Top TV
In partnership with most of the major Christian denominations in South Africa, Family Policy Institute is calling for a nation-wide boycott of TOP TV. We urge you to contact your pastor and ask him to encourage your congregation to cancel TOP TV subscriptions in protest.

Contact your elected representative to encourage effective eradication of all pornography.

Protect Your Family
We need to get back to the Bible, to work for Reformation and pray for Revival in our own lives, families, communities and countries. Ensure you protect your family by blocking porn on cell phones and computers. Visit www.cellphonesafety.co.za for info on how to do this and download a free internet web filter from www.k9webprotection.com. Visit www.purehope.net for tips on parenting the Internet generation and for advice on age-appropriate conversations you can have with you children about issues of sexual morality.


“If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” Matthew 18:6-7

DVDs Resources
Every Young Man’s Battle DVD (58 minutes, R155)

Somebody’s Daughter DVD (62 minutes, R135)

Available from Christian Liberty Books: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 021 - 6897478, or www.christianlibertybooks.co.za.

Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont
7735
Cape Town

South Africa
Tel: 021-689 4481 
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Christian Action P.O.Box 23632 Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa [email protected] - 021-689-4481 - www.christianaction.org.za
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