Madam Deputy Speaker, as one who had the privilege of drafting the original Films and Publications Act in 1996, I am a little scared and terrified of the blurring of some lines which are quite fundamental. For example, the Minister says that the SABC censors programmes and that government tells them not to run some. In terms of the law, that is illegal because the censorship is based on the fact that certain material is not desirable to government or to others. I think that the issue of pornography is a difficult one. It also tests the divide between freedom and authority.
Now, the question to the Minister is: On what authority does the government go beyond the legislative parameter and not interfere in communication between consenting adults, above and beyond protecting children from those communications? Where is that line set and how is it enforced if it is not the one which is in the Act and is left to the authority and prerogatives of the Film and Publication Board?
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Hon Chairperson, I think that was more of a comment than a question, unless I am mistaken.
If the Minister wants to comment, she can do so. But there was a question that was raised by the hon member. Hon Ambrosini, can you repeat your question, only the question?
Minister, the job is for the Film and Publication Board. How government takes the job beyond that is a matter of policy, not of illegality. How does a moral judgement come into the picture?
Thank you, initially you asked only one question.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Hon Chairperson, there are a lot of pieces of legislation currently in the country that help us to deal with all these questions around pornography and the protection of children. Therefore, even the Film and Publication Board does have a role in terms of the classification of films, videos, and so on, as we have indicated earlier. There is a commitment from government, as we have seen in the past, to ensure that we protect our children and use the current legislation in place to protect children and prevent easy access to pornography. Thank you.
Position regarding achievement of millennium development goals concerning gender equality and empowerment of women
94. Mrs D Robinson (DA) asked the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:
Whether the Government will achieve the millennium development goals with regard to (a) gender equality and (b) the empowerment of women; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?