GOVERNMENT MOVES TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO SATELLITE PORN CHANNEL EXTASI TV

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO SATELLITE PORN CHANNEL EXTASI TV

London, 8 February/GNN/ --

DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (017/05) issued by the
Government News Network on 8 February 2005
The Government is to take steps to restrict access to violent pornographic
broadcasts by the satellite TV channel Extasi TV, Broadcasting Minister
Andrew McIntosh announced today.

An Order has been laid to proscribe the service in the United Kingdom under
section 177 of the Broadcasting Act 1990. Activities that will be banned
include the supply of dedicated equipment such as decoding cards or programme
material; the publication of advertisements for or information about Extasi
TV, such as listings; and advertising goods or services on Extasi TV. The
restrictions will come into effect on the 21st February if no objections
from Parliament are received.

Extasi is a television service broadcast from outside the United Kingdom but
received in this country by means of a satellite. Its programming contains
frequent episodes of violent pornography.

Andrew McIntosh said:

"I was notified by Ofcom that the content of satellite channel Extasi TV is
unacceptable and should be the subject of a proscription order. Under the
requirements of the Act, I have viewed material from the channel and consider
that a proscription order would be in the public interest, in particular to
ensure that children are not exposed such potentially harmful material. "

The proscription will come into effect 14 days after the Order is made.

Notes to Editors

1. The Order to proscribe is laid under Section 177
of the 1990 Broadcasting Act. It can be accessed at:
www.culture.gov.uk/global/publications/archive_2005/proscription_order.htm

2. Under section 177 of the Act, the Government can "proscribe" (i.e. declare a
foreign satellite service as unacceptable) if the following conditions are met:

- Ofcom has notified the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
that it considers that the service is unacceptable;

- the Secretary of State considers that the Order would be in the public
interest; and compatible with the United Kingdom's international obligations.

3. The main relevant international obligation is the EU Television Without
Frontiers (TVWF) Directive. Article 22.1 of TVWF deals with the protection
of children from broadcasts that might seriously harm their physical, mental
or moral development, in particular programmes that involve pornography or
serious violence. It says that such broadcasts should not be made.

4. Ofcom's and the Government's view is that Extasi TV broadcasts regularly
infringe the standards set out in Article 22.1.

5. Article 2.2 of the Directive gives Member States the power to suspend
retransmission of a service which "manifestly, gravely and seriously"
breaches Article 22.1. Certain conditions must be met:

- the broadcaster must have been guilty of such breaches three times in
twelve months;

- the Member State must have notified the European Commission and the
broadcaster of its intention to suspend retransmission if such an infringement
occurs again; and

- consultations with the transmitting State and the European Commission must
have taken place but have failed to produce an amicable settlement after
15 days.

6. The Government is also satisfied that the Order is compatible with the ECHR.

7. Once the Order comes into effect it will become an offence under section
178 of the 1990 Act to do a range of acts in the United that would support
Extasi TV, including the following:

a) supply any equipment or other goods for use in connection with the
operation or day-today running of the Extasi TV service;

b) supply, or offer to supply, programme material to be included in it;

c) arrange for, or invite, any other person to supply programme material to
be included in it;

d) advertise goods or services by means of Extasi TV;

e) publish the times or other details of Extasi programmes or other material
calculated to promote the service;

f) supply or offer to supply any decoding equipment which is dedicated or
adapted to be used primarily for the purpose of enabling the reception of
Extasi TV.

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 6271
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751153
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6200
Internet: http://www.culture.gov.uk

Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
www.culture.gov.uk





Source: DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT


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