Call for pornography to be restricted intensifies

By Ofentse Mokae
26 MAY 2010

The Home Affairs Department together with the Justice Alliance of South Africa and the Film and Publications Board have proposed a Bill to ban pornography.

The Bill seeks to totally ban pornography on the internet and mobile phones to avoid it entering the country.

Justice Alliance's John Smyth says they will continue to monitor the legal implications concerning the bill.

He says Home Affairs deputy minister Malusi Gigaba wants the support of parliament and the general public.

However, Smyth says there are some technical issues involved.

“There is clear evidence of the constitutionality of such an exercise as expressed in the constitution that, ‘A child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.’ Hence other rights such as freedom of expression can not be seen to be absolute. They have to be weighed against the interests of children,” Smyth said.