TERENCE MISELO writes
@SunZambian
Renowned filmmaker and actress, Cassie Kabwita, has appealed to the National Association for Media Arts (NAMA) to consider pushing for the re-establishment of the national film censorship board.
Actress Kabwita said that the re-establishment of the national film censorship board will help ensure only morally acceptable content is broadcast on local television.
Ms. Kabwita was commenting on the calls to ban ‘Lusaka Hustle’, a reality show on DSTV’s Zambezi Magic Channel 160, which features the lifestyles of three local celebrities namely Clementina Mulenga, aka Cleo, Mukuni Mulundika famously known as Kuni and Thandiwe Zulu.
Kabwita said it is regrettable that, “we as a country which is a Christian nation, do not have a censorship board like in other African countries.”
“NAMA must push for formation of a censorship board because there is a lot of content going on TV without being checked. What filmmakers and producers need to know is that what they produce has a lot of influence on the people,” she said.
“Before we even condemn the people behind ‘Lusaka Hustle’, we must first ask ourselves how such content found itself on TV. NAMA is the head of films in Zambia and it must take full responsibility. NAMA owes us an apology for not regulating content.”
The ‘Lusaka Hustle’ launched last month, has attracted wide criticism as unsuitable for the Zambian audience.
Some viewers have even claimed the show is advocating for the gay culture and rights.
But musician and events manager, Brian Shakarongo, says it is unfair for people to condemn the Lusaka Hustle show because it not only meant for Zambia but viewers in other countries also.
Shakarongo said Zambezi Magic reaches a number of countries some of which have no problem with the show
He said Zambians have a choice to either watch it or not.
“In my view, MultiChoice offers a wide range of content. One show in Zambia must not affect subscribers in other countries. There are so many channels and I for one would rather not watch what I don’t like than condemn it,” said Shakarongo who also stated he was not in any way supporting the show but simply being considerate.
On Saturday, Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance Godfridah Sumaili suggested that the program be stopped as it may encourage moral decay. The Idependent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has also ecoed the Minister’s call and have since written to MultiChoice to stop the programme.
