Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Spam call epidemic: operators say their hands are tied

      10 July 2025

      Britehouse unit breaks free from NTT Data

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025

      Grammarly acquires e-mail start-up Superhuman

      1 July 2025

      Apple considers ditching its own AI in Siri overhaul

      1 July 2025
    • In-depth

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025

      MultiChoice may unbundle SuperSport from DStv

      12 June 2025

      Grok promised bias-free chat. Then came the edits

      2 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025

      TCS+ | First Distribution on the latest and greatest cloud technologies

      27 June 2025

      TCS+ | First Distribution on data governance in hybrid cloud environments

      27 June 2025
    • Opinion

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025

      Singapore soared – why can’t we? Lessons South Africa refuses to learn

      13 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » Arguments heard in StarSat channels case

    Arguments heard in StarSat channels case

    By Sapa Reporter11 August 2014
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp

    porn-640

    The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) did not follow procedure when deciding to allow three adult channels on local television, the Western Cape high court heard on Monday.

    Administrative justice had not been promoted and Icasa’s decision should thus be struck down, Murray Bridgman argued on behalf of non-profit organisation Cause for Justice.

    He said pornography was an issue that impacted on the community as a whole and on the constitutional rights to dignity, equality and security.

    “[There was] one public hearing, one city, one day. Not good enough,” he said. “There should have been meetings in each of the nine provinces and there should have been a far greater level of engagement.”

    Cause for Justice, Doctors for Life and the Justice Alliance of South Africa are challenging Icasa’s decision last April to grant a licence to On Digital Media (operating as Top TV and later StarSat) to air the porn channels.

    The licence was granted on condition that the three channels be offered as subscribed packages with age verification and other security features.

    Bridgman said Icasa’s advert in the Government Gazette inviting public comment did not even mention that the channels were to broadcast porn.

    If the public wanted to view the application, they had to make a photocopy at Icasa’s library in Johannesburg.

    Judge Lee Bozalek said that despite this, over 600 people had made written submissions as a result of the advert. “If this had been done right, there would have been 1 649 objections,” Bridgman rebutted.

    He said the public hearing in March last year gave inadequate time to objectors and denied the Film and Publication Board the chance to make oral submissions.

    Icasa’s special committee was criticised for not appointing experts and inspectors to investigate the content of the porn channels and make sure it abided by certain criteria.

    Bozalek countered that inspectors could not examine all material in anticipation as it was impractical.

    The matter has been set down for argument until Wednesday.  — Sapa



    Cause for Justice Doctors for Life Justice Alliance of South Africa StarSat TopTV
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleVodacom banks on M-Pesa relaunch
    Next Article ZATS: 312 – ‘Show me the (mobile) money’

    Related Posts

    End of the road for StarSat in South Africa

    27 February 2025

    Icasa’s actions suggest an agenda, says StarSat after raid

    4 October 2024

    Icasa raids StarSat, pulls plug on infrastructure

    2 October 2024
    Company News

    AI in project management: a new era of efficiency and transformation

    10 July 2025

    Samsung unfolds the future with thinnest, lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet

    9 July 2025

    Huawei supercharges South African SMEs with over 20 new eKit products

    9 July 2025
    Opinion

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

    17 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.