Kenya Film Classification Board bans six TV programs
Kenya Film Classification Board has banned six TV programmes aired by Multichoice’s DStv and GOtv.
The six programmes include Loud House, The Legend of Korra, and Hey Arnold which are animation children’s programmes available on Nickelodeon channels and Clarence, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time are available on Cartoon Network.
“Following our investigations and subsequent to public concerns regarding the programmes, KFCB has written to Multichoice and asked the network to immediately discontinue the broadcasting, distribution or exhibition of the programmes”, read a statement available on the KFCB Website.
The statement further said, “While these are pay TV Channels, accessible through subscription, most parents in Kenya may not be aware that the children’s programmes are laced with retrogressive and bizarre messages intended to promote the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) agenda in the country. Further, the programmes bear misleading age suitability ratings that are inconsistent with KFCB content Classification Guidelines and indeed against the laws of Kenya”.
Quoting Article 45 of the Constitution of Kenya that defines marriage as a union between persons of the opposite gender, Article 11 of the Constitution that recognizes culture as the foundation of the nation, and the Penal Code Sections 162 to 165 that criminalizes homosexuality and homosexual behavior and attempted homosexual behaviors. KFCB said that the Board pursues measures to ensure children are protected from harmful content and urged parents to be more vigilant in monitoring the content their children watch on TV.
Another section that KFCB has relied on is section 181 that prohibits the distribution and exhibition of indecent content, with the potential to corrupt morals. Violation of the penal code attracts penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
KFCB has however gone ahead to acknowledge that Article 33 of the Kenyan Constitution guarantees freedom of expression with limitations; limitation of which do not extend to homosexuality but the freedom to choose sexual orientation is only applicable to adults
