November 3, 2015 – Lagos State House of Assembly today condemned what it described as emerging transgender content promoted by True Life Chapter (TLC) channel on the Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) platform.
This followed a motion moved on the floor of the House by Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, stressing that she was aware of a planned series programme to be aired by the True Life Chapter (TLC) channel on the Digital Satelite Television (DSTV) platform “ I am Jazz, a story of transgender teenager” with a view to promoting gender immorality in the society.
After the adoption of the motion, the House called on Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the Ministry of Information and every other relevant agencies to enlighten the public about the behavioural implication of strange foreign practices on the youth.
It also called on the Lagos State Films and Video Censor Board to meet up with its responsibility on censorship and classification of of films, videos and musical lyrics in the state, adding that the practice of the Nigerian culture should be encouraged.
Tejuosho noted that she was concerned about the perceived silence of the Federal Government authorities about the spate of uninhibited display of obscenities and uncensored programmes on the Nigerian airwaves as evident in musical videos, films and other airings on National Television especially the State Television Networks.
The lawmaker further stressed that “If the planned transgender programme aired on the Digital Satelite Television (DSTV) platform is not statutorily checked before it goes public, it will not only corrupt the Nigerian youth but capable of luring them into sexual vices, contrary to the relevant sections of the Nigerian laws which forbids homosexuality and sexual pervasion in the society.
She said there was need for governments both at the Federal and State levels to protect the sanctity of the Nigerian airwaves through enforcement of the censorship law and the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC) to prevent contents that are offensive to under-aged viewers and all the audience at large.
