The South African Justice, Crime Prevention and Safety (JCPS) has warned that media platforms have an ethical and social duty to advertise content material that upholds the dignity, security, and rights of all people.
This follows outrage over Moja Love’s controversial present Isencane Lengane which allegedly depicted emotional abuse.
“Broadcasting acts of home abuse or violence in any type — whether or not below the guise of actuality tv or leisure — is a gross violation of this duty. It sends a harmful message that violence could be exploited for public spectacle,” JCPS posted on X.
It went on so as to add that editorial requirements and programming selections should be evaluated for any content material that trivialises incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) and abuse in opposition to girls.
Ladies’s advocacy group Ladies For Change highlighted the devastating impression of GBV and home abuse of their communities and the channel’s resolution to proceed exploiting this actuality for leisure worth.
“Abuse shouldn’t be leisure. Trauma shouldn’t be a storyline…This isn’t simply irresponsible, it’s harmful. By broadcasting such abuse with out satisfactory intervention and accountability, Moja Love is normalising and trivialising GBV, sending the dangerous message that abuse is appropriate if it brings in viewers,” stated the group.
In a rustic the place girls and youngsters are raped, overwhelmed, and murdered each day, the sort of programming is not only tone-deaf, but in addition a betrayal of each sufferer and survivor, added Ladies For Change.
“We remind South Africa that what we select to observe, assist, and permit to proceed displays the sort of society we’re constructing. This isn’t nearly a tv present, that is concerning the systemic failure to guard girls in South Africa, on and off display screen.”
In response, Moja Love instructed IOL that confirmed they’ve acquired varied complaints lodged with the Broadcasting Complaints Fee of South Africa (BCCSA) and their authorized division is addressing the complaints.
“You will need to point out that the present is a actuality present that showcases real-life tales and embraces varied cultural facets of the lives of the primary solid. The channel doesn’t condone any acts of violence and/or intimidation,” stated the channel.
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