THIS Show Was Pulled From Nigerian Television


Nigerian MultiChoice media has chosen to pull the popular transgendered docu-series “I Am Cait” from the air after receiving complaints from parents in Nigeria. The Nigerian publication The Whistler reported that parents had called in to complain about the program material. The Nigerian Broadcasting Network (NBC) was the one to officially request the removal of the show from the air.

Gay Star News released a statement on the matter,

“MultiChoice recognises the importance of respecting the views of its customers and all regulatory environments within which its service operates.”

According to Channel 24, the show was banned in almost all of Africa because MultiChoice removed it from E! Entertainment on the DStv service. Since DStv is the only E! feed, the majority of African citizens will no longer have access to the show.

NBC responded to MultiChoice’s decision,

“E! stands by the diverse range of content it produces and broadcasts around the world, as an international channel, we recognise that regulatory environments vary across the world and we always seek to comply with regulations in the countries where we broadcast. As this matter relates directly to DStv and the Nigerian regulatory authorities, this issue is for their comment.” 

A similar situation occurred last year when “I am Jazz” was pulled from the air. It documented the life of a transgendered teen. They received almost identical parental complaints as the “I Am Cait” detractors.

“I Am Cait” does not have any nudity, pornography, violence, or sex in it. These features can be blocked with parental controls, leaving few other options to consider for the reason it was pulled off the air other than the blatantly discriminatory nature of their viewers.

The Human Rights Watch provides some insight into Nigeria’s unfortunate human rights history. Consensual homosexual sex results in a fourteen-year prison sentence. Under Sharia law punishment can be stoning, caning or imprisonment. The 2014 Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill criminalizes public displays of affection and outreach to LGBT health organizations by LGBT people.

 

 

 

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Olivia is a foreign English teacher in Seoul, South Korea. She's studied abroad in Morocco and Cuba and is a 2015 graduate of Saint Anselm College with a BA in International Relations and Economics. She enjoys writing part time on the side about politics, environmental issues, and travel.