SOUTH AFRICA – Hustler Magazine managing director Joe Theron encouraged the South African parliament to fund “serious research” into the facts concerning pornography before bending to pressure from the African Christian Democratic Party, which has demanded that the entertainment niche be banned.According to the pressure group, pornography is a “scourge” that should be eradicated from the country by making changes to the Film and Publications Act. Paul Swart, a spokesman for the party who spoke during recent governmental hearings insisted that “if pornography is the theory, then rape is the practice,” in an attempt to draw a connection between violent sex crimes and erotic materials.

Theron was quick to point out that international studies show that the majority of pedophiles are religious clergy or employees of educational facilities, and also that “Rape is not an act of passion. It’s an act of violence done by somebody not of sound mind.”

Shokie Bopape-Dlomo, chief executive officer for the Film and Publications Board agreed that more information about the effects of pornography upon South African society was needed in order to make an educated decision on the matter.

Legalized in 1994, pornography has contributed 60-percent of the Film and Publications Board’s fees, as well as created a multitude of much needed jobs and contributed to the country’s economic health and development. While Bopape-Dlomo indicated a belief that erotic entertainment can become a compulsion for some viewers, can involve exploitation of women, and should be kept from minors, she also expressed a dedication to striking a balance between those concerns and the right to free expression.

Others that spoke before the committee included representatives from cell phone service providers and the South African Broadcasting Corporation. They explained that regulatory measures could be put in place to make it more difficult for minors to access explicit content, but that parental involvement in the development of their children’s moral standards were of vital importance. “The highest standard of regulations we can put in place is a higher standard of morality,” opined Cell C managing director Mafahle Mareletse.

Wireless providers explained that although they have signed a Code of Conduct with the Wireless Application Service Providers Association promising to discourage the distribution of material deemed unsuitable for children, they have had their attempts to regulate content on their networks hampered by legislation that outlaws the interception of calls or transmitted data. Nonetheless, anti-pornography committee chairman Patrick Chauke expressed the opinion that wireless providers could do more to control the flow of adult content and called for a meeting later in the year to discuss the issue. Chauke insisted that his opposition is to uncontrolled pornography, which he admitted brings a great deal of money into the South African economy. Nonetheless, Chauke’s opinion remained firm that the majority of violence against women and children was committed by people in possession of pornography, which justifies its regulation.