TopTV's about-turn on porn

Satellite TV provider TopTV's application for a licence to launch three pornography channels is to be opposed by the Film and Publication Board.

TopTV announced on Monday that it had applied to the Independent Communications Authority of SA for authorisation to broadcast "three additional video channels" from early next year.

TopTV said the channels would carry an "enforced" age restriction and would be separate from the normal subscription package.

Marius Liebenberg, TopTV's senior vice-president for sales and marketing, said: "The additional channels will carry the highest degree of security and, because they are available only as a separate subscription, will not otherwise be accessible to the TopTV subscriber.

"Potential subscribers will need to provide proof that they are over 18, and viewing of the channels will require the input of a unique, four-digit PIN code."

But Film and Publication Board spokesman Mlimandlela Ndamase said yesterday that the board would voice its concerns to the communications authority and press for the blocking of TopTV's plans.

"We definitely will oppose [the porn channels] similar to the way we did with MultiChoice when they wanted to launch the 24-hour pornography channel," Ndamase said.

He said it was the board's job to "build a certain moral culture" and "protect kids as far as undesirable content is concerned".

But, if TopTV gets its way, viewers would pay an extra fee to access the three Playboy TV channels already available in countries such as Sweden, Brazil, Canada, Portugal, the UK, New Zealand and Spain.

Just before TopTV's launch, in May last year, CEO Vino Govender said it would not broadcast pornography.

"We are running our business with strong Christian ethical codes and we are not planning to introduce a porn channel. We don't want to poison the minds of millions of South Africa's children ," he said.

When reminded of these comments yesterday, a company response sent by e-mail read: "While TopTV is not seeking to distance itself from its positioning as a family-values-orientated service provider, we view the additional channels within that context as well.

"We need to be alive to the desires of our client base . stagnating to past statements will not serve changed needs from our clients or assist our growth."

The communications authority's spokesman, Paseka Maseka, confirmed yesterday that porn channel Psat.tv had not applied for a licence to run on TopTV.

Reports on Monday said the adult channel would launch on TopTV at the beginning of next year.

In a study by the Film and Publication Board in 2008 and 2009, it was found that 83% of respondents agreed that children were exposed to too much sex and violence in the media.