MultiChoice doesn’t give a damn about censoring LGBT shows
Banned: I Am Cait & I Am Jazz
African broadcaster MultiChoice has finally responded to our concerns about it removing Caitlyn Jenner’s show I Am Cait from its schedule – and we aren’t impressed at all.
Last week, we reported that the South African-owned pay-TV company had blocked all its viewers across the continent, including in South Africa, from watching the show because Nigerian censors had objected to it.
Unlike some of its other channels, which have different regional feeds, there is only one E! channel feed for the whole of Africa.
Clearly fearing it could lose out on one of the continent’s biggest markets, MultiChoice acceded, apparently without any challenge or protest, to the demands of the Nigerians.
An LGBT staff member at the broadcaster, who asked not to be identified, told Mambaonline this week that she was “ashamed” to be working for the company.
Mambaonline sent a number of questions to MultiChoice asking for clarity on the issue. These included:
- Has MultiChoice taken any action (appeals / legal action) to oppose the directives from the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to remove I Am Cait?
- Has MultiChoice publicly condemned efforts to remove the show from its schedule as being discriminatory, a form of censorship and anti-democratic?
- As a South African-based company do you feel you have any obligation to uphold South Africa’s constitutional values?
- What is MultiChoice’s stance towards the issue of LGBT equality in Africa?
- Does the removal of the show mean that all Africans (including South Africans) are now subject to the whims of Nigerian viewers / censors?
- How will MultiChoice ensure that democratic countries like South Africa are not impacted by other nations’ bigotry and censorship in its scheduling / broadcasts?
MultiChoice responded on Tuesday with this terse and, quite frankly, pathetic response:
“E! Entertainment is a channel we share across many African territories, including Nigeria. The Nigerian Regulator has advised MultiChoice that the programme I Am Cait transgresses its regulatory code, which is why the series had to be removed from the channel. MultiChoice however still provides a large variety of entertaining and educational programming, and continuously strives to appeal to every lifestyle through its diversity of content.”
Mambaonline believes that the response is deeply unsatisfactory and displays a gross lack of regard for MultiChoice’s viewers in South Africa and elsewhere.
In October last year, MultiChoice also dropped the acclaimed American reality series I Am Jazz, about a transgender teen, from its schedule after complaints from Nigerian viewers and threats of censorship.
The company, with a widespread reputation for arrogance and high-handedness, is clearly not willing to address the deeper issues that are at play nor is it even prepared to apologise to its viewers. MultiChoice, it seems, simply doesn’t give a damn.
The issue isn’t about your views on Caitlyn Jenner or the value of her show; it’s about our identities and stories being erased and censored by another country.
If you don’t believe that what we are allowed to watch should be based on the whims of homophobic and transphobic censors in Nigeria, then sign this petition.
- Facebook Messenger
- Total643
I think that LGBT people also have a voice. Why are Nigerians shut them out on a whole. Its unfair that SA shut them out too because of Nigeria. This is unjust and unfair
Multi-Choice has an obligation to South African viewers first. If Nigerian viewers don’t like what Multi-Choice has to offer then don’t subscribe. Our rights to open air satellite TV must not and should no be dictated to by another country -. i.e. Nigeria. The Nigerian culture and beliefs should have no effect as to what we in SA are allowed and want to see.
“I am Cait” has been removed by Multi-Choice from the E-Entertainment channel due to complaints in Nigeria. Why should this effect our viewing in SA – if they don’t like what is shown on the E-Entertainment channel, then remove the channel from Nigeria. We are subscribers as much as they are subscribers, but you would think Multi-Choice would consider the priorities of SA first.
The fact that Multi-Choice have stated the reason was due to complaints received by Nigeria should in itself been seen as the wrong approach to follow. The law in SA is subject to the Constitution, and the Constitution categorically states in section 9(3) the state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth. Section 9(4) NO PERSON may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds in terms of subsection (3)
The grounds for Multi-Choice refusal to screen “I am Cait” goes against section 9 of the Constitution of South Africa. Again what another country which subscribes to Multi-Choice wants and does not not want to see has no legal bindings on what the viewers in SA can see.
To be honest, I am Cait was a horrible show… But I guess it took public opinion a lot further towards normalising gender-non-conformity, which is a good thing.
That it was blocked on the basis of what she was is not right, but that it was blocked on that basis is not clear… Can we please get clarity, in the form of a statement from the Broadcaster?
Let us know please!