Porn channel refuses to censor films

(First Edition)

THE satellite channel Red Hot Dutch decided yesterday to carry on screening uncensored, hard-core pornographic films.

Continental Television's directors defied pressure from Britain to tone down the films. Storylines and dialogue are minimal, and the Broadcasting Standards Council has called for the films to be banned.

David Waller, the chairman, was out-voted by the Dutch company's six other directors at a meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He wanted to ban anal sex scenes because they could encourage the spread of Aids. But his fellow directors criticised Britain for seeking to 'oppress the freedoms of responsible adults'.

They said Continental Television 'operates under the sensible pornography and broadcasting laws of Denmark', which should be good enough for the United Kingdom under EC law.

'The channel is clearly operating within the bounds of the European directive relating to cross- frontier broadcasting, including all safeguards accepted by the UK's government with respect to the European convention on the protection of minors.'

The channel, seen in 22,000 homes in Britain, is to give free adverts to condom manufacturers. It is also offering air time to Aids organisations for educational videos in an attempt to silence its critics. It has also promised to run a campaign between the screenings of its films, three times a week, to encourage safe sex.

The Government is taking advice on whether it can legally close the station.