TopTV has confirmed that an application has been made to broadcast three pornography channels with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa). Eddie Mbalo, CEO of the struggling broadcaster, dismisses the claims that TopTV made the application in an effort to save the company.
Sapa reports that TopTV previously applied to Icasa to air the porn channels, but received no response within two months. The broadcaster then went ahead without Icasa’s permission, prompting Icasa to make an urgent application to the high court in Johannesburg, which ruled that TopTV could not broadcast the channels until Icasa had made a decision.
Mbalo says that TopTV has continually avoided scheduling pornography on its normal channels as the broadcaster believes there should be sufficient protection, particularly for children who might otherwise access this content in the normal course of their television viewing.
Errol Naidoo, Family Police Institute director, says the broadcast of hardcore pornography on television is objectionable because it degrades women and exposes children to harmful content.
