Porn TV ruling to be appealed

Statue of justice holding balanced scales in hand isolated on white background

Statue of justice holding balanced scales in hand isolated on white background

Published Nov 19, 2014

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Cape Town - An application for leave to appeal a court ruling on the licensing of three porn pay channels will be heard in the Western Cape High Court next month.

The application by On Digital Media will be heard by Judge Lee Bozalek on December 5.

At the beginning of the month, Bozalek ordered the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) to review its decision taken last year to license On Digital Media's porn channels.

On Digital Media (operating as Top TV and later StarSat) was granted three licences on April 23 last year to broadcast Playboy TV, Desire TV, and Brazzers, subject to conditions.

Icasa's issuing the licences was challenged by the Justice Alliance of SA (Jasa), Doctors for Life, and Cause for Justice, who argued that Icasa erred in making its decision.

Icasa and On Digital Media were ordered to pay the applicants' costs. On Digital Media was appealing the whole order, including that of costs.

In its appeal application, On Digital Media argued that Icasa's decision was only invalid insofar as it failed to prohibit On Digital Media from broadcasting films that had been classified as “X18”, in accordance with the Film and Publications Act.

“There was no reason this aspect of the decision could not be remedied by means of severance,” it argued in the application.

It believed that remitting the decision back to Icasa would lead to unnecessary delay, prejudice and costs.

Sapa

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