Kenya TV stations banned from airing beer ads

NAIROBI: The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has banned local television stations from airing beer and contraceptive advertisements without approval of the board.

This follows what has been termed as public outrage over East Africa Breweries Ltd's (EABL) Tusker Lite advertisement associated with media personality Jeff Koinange and another one by Durex condoms, which is said to have classifiable pornographic elements.

Already, a 14-day ultimatum has been issued by the board on these adverts. Others affected are EABL's Snapp, London Distillers, Trust, Lux and Pwani Oil's Fresh Fri.

Respective companies have been asked to submit their advertisements for a certificate of approval before they are put back on air.

INFLUENCING TEENAGERS

KFCB Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua said the alcoholic drinks adverts and the time they are being aired (within the watershed period during the festive season) have the potential of influencing teenagers to engage in underage drinking and sex.

"By airing these unclassified adverts, the advertisers and broadcasters are violating the Kenya Information and Communication Act that empowers the board to impose age restrictions on all programmes to be aired to ensure content that depicts adult scenes are not shown between 5am-10pm," said Mr Mutua Tuesday.

Mutua said that some of the advertisements glamorise abuse and misuse of drug and sex-related products.

The KFCB boss said the board has written to producers of alcoholic drinks adverts to ensure their adverts are examined before being aired.

The board further revealed that it will be launching a crackdown on children's computer games, Mexican soaps and Nigerians films commonly known as Afro-Sinema, to make all content regulator compliant.