The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)
announced in a press statement today (24 April 2013) that it has authorised On Digital Media (ODM, operating as TopTV)
to broadcast the three adult content channels Playboy TV, Desire TV and Private
Spice within the watershed period.
According to ICASA, the authorisation of this application follows an
extensive public consultation process which it undertook prior to granting the
application by ODM.
“The Authority upholds the view that there is no law of general
application prohibiting the production and distribution of adult content in the
Republic,” ICASA said. “Only the production and distribution of child
pornography is expressly prohibited by law.”
However, ICASA added that the authorisation limits the broadcast of the
adult content to the so-called watershed period between 20:00 and 05:00.
ICASA said it approved the application on the basis that ODM will
ensure that the watershed period is adhered to and that all the security
measures, including the double PIN code as outlined in the application, are in
place “to safeguard children’s rights.”
ICASA said it considered all submissions made in respect of ODM’s
application from all interested stakeholders.
“It was found that most of the representations made were based on moral
grounds, rather than research evidence to demonstrate some of the conclusive
remarks linking pornography and gender-based violence,” ICASA said.
Since there is no basis or law for the rejection of Top TV’s
application, ICASA said it has decided to authorise Top TV to broadcast the
three adult entertainment channels as applied for.
“With more emphasis on the compliance with the licence terms and
conditions, the Code of Conduct and all underlying statutes,” ICASA said.
No comments:
Post a Comment