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TopTV chose not to talk at all at its own public hearing today at the Sandton office of South Africa's broadcasting regulator.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) was listening to submissions made in TopTV's application to start broadcasting hardcore pornographic TV channels in South Africa as a new and separate adult bouquet of 3 channels.
TopTV wants to start a new porno package of the Adult XXX, Private Spice and Playboy Europe channels at an additional subscription of R199 per month.
The public hearing today at Icasa into TopTV's ''application for authorisation of channels'' which started at 10:00, lasted just over two hours.
The public hearing for channel authorisation drew the most attendees the regulator has ever had for what is usually a mundane and routine process after a pay TV operator applies for permission to broadcast a new TV channel.
The hot button issue drew several individuals, as well as groups who made oral representations. Interestingly TopTV was present, but didn't speak at the public hearing which was convened as the result of TopTV's application in the first place. TopTV did however previously hand in written documentation for the application for channel authorisation.
''TopTV was present but made no oral submissions,'' Jubie Matlou, Icasa's senior communications manager told TV with Thinus.
Groups and organisations who were present, and who did talk to give their view and opinion on TopTV's porn plans were the Christian Action Network, the Film and Publication Board (FPB) which said that it will strongly opposing TopTV's plans, and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI).
Several individuals who made submissions after the Government Gazette published the pay TV operator's application on 17 November and called for a public response, also gave oral submissions in their individual capacity.
''Icasa is going to deliberate now on whether TopTV is given authorisation to start the channels,'' said Jubie Matlou. ''Icasa will make a decision by the latest 31 January. An answer could come 2 days before; maybe a week before the end of the month, but we must and we will make a decision as soon as possible on the matter'' he says.
