The Independent Communications Authority of SA's (ICASA's) decision to grant TopTV permission to air adult content on its pay-TV platform marks a first for SA, and has drawn a vast reaction.
Hailed by some as a victory and milestone for democracy and freedom of choice in SA, and scorned by others as an ominous sign of moral degradation in a country prone to violence, the introduction of pornography to SA's satellite airwaves yesterday created a stir on social media, as Twitter and Facebook were flooded with quips and comments on the topic.
"TopTV" featured at the top of Twitter's trends list, after ICASA announced its decision yesterday, while the pay-TV provider's Facebook page newsfeed was overtaken by debate.
Comical quips
Some of the light-hearted rhetoric on Twitter included the following posts:
"New TopTV Pay off line: When you turn your TV on, does it return the favour?"
"This #TopTV thing banna! Let Eskom deal with power cuts from 10pm-5am Lawd *sprinkles holy water on their TL*" (sic)
"RT if you have TopTV. Actually don't, I don't know where those hands have been."
"If you're getting TopTV this weekend, expect those nasty looks from tellers."
Twitter was still abuzz with TopTV talk this morning, with the following tweet recently posted: "I hardly slept. Stayed up all night helping TopTV research for content."
Satisfied broadcaster
On a more serious note, regulatory and civil society groups had a say in their respective statements.
TopTV says it is "pleased that ICASA has finally ruled in favour of [TopTV's] application to broadcast three adult content channels".
The broadcaster acknowledges the premise upon which the watchdog made its final decision. "As requested by TopTV in its public hearing process, ICASA confirmed that the authorisation was given on the basis that TopTV will only broadcast the three channels during the 'watershed period', which is the period from 20:00 to 05:00 daily."
TopTV has not announced a launch date, and the three channels are not yet available. The company notes that it is still in the process of business rescue and, dependent on the outcome of the process, future channels and packages across the entire TopTV offering will be announced.
Tune change
In what appears to be a change of heart, the Film and Publications Board (FPB) has welcomed ICASA's decision.
The organisation, which was active in the public hearings held recently into TopTV's application, says it advocates the protection of children from exposure to potentially harmful content.
Because TopTV has security measures in place, on top of "stringent conditions" from ICASA, the FPB says it is hopeful the protection of children will not be compromised.
TopTV's parent company On Digital Media previously stated the proposed content would be aired in line with the classification guidelines of the FPB.
In 2011, the FPB opposed TopTV's initial attempt to get rights to air adult content.
Making waves
The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) says ICASA made a "bold decision" yesterday.
FXI says the move is "definitely a milestone for ICASA" considering the first-time nature of the broadcaster's request, and because the authority made a brave decision to cater for certain viewers, "despite opposition from certain quarters of our society".
The institute also recognises the decision as "very uncomfortable" for many South Africans, "being that the South African society is very conservative.
"Despite opposition by many factions in SA, part of our democratic dispensation allows for us to have freedom and part of the constitutional value of freedom entails the right to engage in activities of our choice, provided that what we do it within the confines of the law."
FXI lauds ICASA for giving society variety and choice, and says it believes the decision will create a more competitive broadcasting industry with more vibrant players; in turn, giving viewers more choice and value for money.
Adult expression
SA's "Dr Ruth", Dr Marlene Wasserman (Dr Eve), Sexual Rights Committee member at the World Association of Sexual Health and clinical sexologist, says yesterday's announcement denotes a "victory for freedom of speech and choice in our country".
"This ruling is a watershed moment in our country's democracy. It symbolises democracy in action - that we can move into honest communication about sexuality and sexual health.
"No longer do people have to sneak late night etv or watch cheap and nasty shows disguised as reality/entertainment shows, which are really sensationalised shows with half-clad women and salacious sexual talk."
She believes that once a "dark area of society" such as sex has been legalised, the sensation factor is removed and it can be embraced as "just a part of [people's] lives".
"Of course, people will object and feel fearful about this new development - I say hurray. Let it force you to face your responsibility to talk to each other as adults about sexuality."
National pollution
Vehemently opposing the notion of pornography on pay-TV, the Family Policy Institute (FPI) has dubbed 24 April "SA's national day of shame" - when ICASA "granted TopTV a licence to freely pollute the nation".
An independent public policy think tank, based on the Judeo-Christian faith, the FPI has been outspoken about the issue since the onset in 2011.
Founder and president of the FPI Errol Naidoo says he is disappointed, but not surprised, by ICASA's decision, which he says represents an "about-turn on protecting the dignity and safety of women".
Naidoo says his organisation, and the Christian Church in SA, will intensify its nationwide boycott of TopTV and its advertisers and sponsors.
"We have to prove to the management of this failed business that hardcore pornographic channels cannot sustain it. We call on all South Africans who are committed to the protection of the dignity of women and children to cancel their subscriptions with TopTV with immediate effect."
He says the FPI is convinced pornography is harmful to marriages, families and society in general.
"There are mountains of research that prove that pornography degrades and demeans women. Pornography is also proven to be highly addictive to men, causing them to change the way they view women. The proliferation of hardcore sexually explicit images in SA has also led to a dramatic increase in child-on-child sexual abuse."
Naidoo says it is for these reasons that he has opposed "the proliferation of pornography in society" long before TopTV existed.
"And I will continue to do so long after their demise. TopTV has declared this a 'victory for democracy'. There is no victory when men are reduced to slaves of their lusts and women are portrayed as mindless sex objects."
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