JNK Mugambi - Africa Information Ethics Portal

SETTING THE CONTEXT
• Early in September 2010 BBC reported that the Government of Sweden has
prohibited the screening of the Hollywood-produced 3D cartoon film Cats
and Dogs on Swedish Television to children below seven years of age, on
the ground that such children will be adversely affected by the cartoon film.
Freedom of the media, and freedom of information must not adversely
affect any segment of a national population. In this case of Sweden, the
Government has decided. Will UNESCO, or any of the other UN agencies
challenge the decision? Will the producers and promoters of the cartoon
challenge it? If not, does it set a precedent for African governments to
prohibit the screening of any movies which are detriment to the moral
formation of their children and youth?
• Each of you will remember messages from your teachers, parents, peers
and broadcasters which had a memorable impact on your lives. At the end
of my address I invite each of you to share with us the specifics of these
incidents. Personally I have many such incidents, which could fill a whole
book. Those incidents and messages have partly made me the person I am
today, through example or by default! Children and youth in Africa today are
profoundly affected by the messages they receive at home, in school, at the
church and mosque, or on radio and television. Whatever messages are
passed on to children and youth should be a matter of serious ethical
concern.
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