Kenya Film Classification Board CEO, Ezekile Mutua has vowed to move to the court to stop the airing of Kiss Condoms advertisement on local TV channels.
The KFCB Boss has taken this action after receiving complaints from concerned parents over the violation of the watershed period put in place for content regulation .
In a well written Facebook Post, Mutua has disclosed that he has severally written to the producers of the responsible TV stations but no action has been taken.
“I am inundated with these kind of messages from concerned parents regarding this obnoxious advert appearing on TV during the watershed period. We have written warning letters to the producers of the advert and the media houses concerned and we are following up the matter to ensure that the advert does not run during the watershed period.”reads part of Ezekiel Mutua’s message
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He added that his body is keen on protecting children from premature exposure to adult content. The advert in question has been airing within the watershed period hence violation of the Kenyan laws.
“We are keen to protect children from premature exposure to adult content. Media houses who know the content regulations continue to violate them because of money. It's sad that we have to go to court to enforce such clear guidelines that media houses should uphold as part of self-regulation and professionalism” reads part of Ezekiel Mutua’s message
However, Mutua stated that, the rationale behind content regulation is to promote Kenya's culture and its moral values.
"which in Kenya is between 5am to 10pm. Programs aired during this period on free to air radio and TV should be suitable for family viewing. Programs with scenes or language meant for adults are not suitable during the watershed period. It's a breach of the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222, KICA Section 46 (i) and the Programming Code for free to air radio and TV stations in Kenya to air such programs or adverts at prime time when there is a likelihood of children watching TV or listening. The rationale behind content regulation is to promote Kenya's culture, moral values and national aspirations and to ensure that children are protected from premature exposure to adult content."