Response to COSATU letter on pornographic TV channels
The Congress of South African Trade Unions has received the following response, on 19 January 2012, to its letter to Collin Matjila, Chief Executive Officer of Kopano ke Matla Investment Company (Pty) Ltd, concerning the proposal by TopTV - of which Kopano ke Matla is a shareholder - to launch three ‘adult' 24-hour TV Channels, showing pornographic films, on their network:
"The Board of Directors of ODM (TopTV) held a special meeting yesterday (Wednesday 18th) to amongst others, consider the issues on adult channels. The majority view (including Kopano) was the same as expressed in your letter. However due to potential financial/contractual consequences with the content suppliers it was agreed that we let Icasa complete the process and make final decision. The decision is expected on or before 31st January 2012. In addition the Board also agreed unanimously NOT to appeal the Icasa decision. From a Kopano perspective, we have noted the directive in your letter and will abide accordingly should this become necessary."
The COSATU letter of 18 January 2012 was as follows:
"I am sure you are aware of the controversy surrounding the proposal by TopTV to launch three ‘adult' 24-hour TV Channels, showing pornographic films, on their network. "COSATU is totally opposed to such channels, which we believe will exploit and demean women and girls, reinforce sexist attitudes and encourage the abuse of women, which is already a massive problem. Such programmes will contribute to a lowering of moral standards in the country and further erode the revolutionary morality of our struggle movement. We are very concerned that, since Kopano ke Matla is a shareholder in TopTV, the federation could be seen to be condoning and indeed funding these pornographic channels, and call upon you to demand that TopTV scrap these channels, and, if they refuse, to disinvest from the company."
Statement issued by Patrick Craven, COSATU national spokesperson, January 20 2012
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