Neuroscience will disqualify Top TV application for porn channels (press release)

a) The latest information on behavioural psychology regarding the way minors think and function and the extent to which it makes minors vulnerable to the harmful effects of pornography.

b) Info obtained through recent developments in brain scanning techniques that demonstrate on an anatomical, molecular and neurophysiological level the different levels of brain development of minors and the extent to which it makes minors vulnerable to the harmful effects of viewed pornography.

c) An official, conclusive declaration by the American Society of Addictive Medicine (ASAM) in 2011 (probable the most authoritative body in the world on addiction medicine), about the addictive properties of pornography.

Added to this is the fact that the right of minors to be protected against pornography is in the opinion of many legal and social experts, the dominating Constitutional Right over and above the right to freedom of expression. In light of the above information it would be disastrous to allow porn channels on television. Especially because the standard measures of protecting minors against exposure to pornography e.g. posting warnings, restricting screening time till after a certain time in the evening or at night, and allowing parents to set up pass words before one can access these channels, are hopelessly inadequate. Most other countries legalised porn channels at a time when all this medical information was not available. In light of the fact that South Africa does not have already existing porn channels that have been allowed, which would first have to be gotten rid of before refusing it to T.V., DFL would like to appeal strongly against allowing it now, even more so that all the above scientific evidence is becoming available. Doctors for Life is an organisation of 1400 medical doctors, specialists and professors of medicine from Medical Faculties in South Africa and abroad. DFL provides expert evidence on various issues of medical and medical-ethical importance. Since 1991 DFL has been actively promoting sound science in the medical profession and health care that is safe and efficient for all South Africans. https://doctorsforlife.co.za]]>