The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has raised the redflag on six cartoon programmes relayed by pay television service provider Multichoice, claiming they promote deviant behaviour among children and opening a new chapter in the regulation of foreign content broadcast through satellite.
KFCB Chief Ezekiel Mutua, the self-declared moral prefect in a country reeling under moral corruption, pointed out that some of the programmes distributed through DStv and GOtv channels glorify homosexual behaviour.
“Most of these programmes,” he said in a statement that has roiled Mulctichoice, “target vulnerable children with subtle messages that are deliberately designed to corrupt their moral judgment regarding the institution of family.”
He said the Kenya Film Classification Board had over the last couple of weeks received public complaints that a section of pay television channels were distributing content glorifying homosexual behaviour.
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Mr Mutua said the board conducted investigations on these complaints and established that they were, indeed, legitimate. The red-flagged programmes include Loud House, the Legend of Korra and Hey Arnold, which are animated children’s programmes available on Nickelodeon (DStv). Others are Clarence, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time on Cartoon Network (both Dstv and Gotv).
“The programmes have been rated as suitable for children, yet they contain elements that are intended to introduce children to deviant behaviour, against our moral values and understanding of the institution of family,” said the KFCB CEO.
This has exposed the challenge of regulating content on pay television, which aggregates different programmes or TV channels. Children programmes have been a strong selling point for DStv and Gotv and this crackdown could cause resentment among parents as, it seems, the programmes are not pre-screened for audience and geographical suitability.
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Film remains a strong way of influencing culture and behavior among people. Hollywood, for instance, has played a great part is spreading Americanism across the world from dress code, eating habits, sexuality and even crime.
These channels are accessible through subscription and most parents in Kenya may not aware that the children’s programmes are laced with messages intended to promote the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) agenda. “Further, the programmes bear misleading age suitability ratings that are inconsistent with KFCB content Classification Guidelines and indeed against the laws of Kenya,” he said.
KFCB has directed MultiChoice to immediately discontinue the broadcasting, distribution or exhibition of the programmes.
