Songs and films with obscene words and acts will henceforth be sanctioned by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Through a press release made public, the Minister of Culture considers that the proliferation of these songs and films compromises the government’s efforts to educate people in morality, citizenship and patriotism.
In order to put an end to these practices which honor neither music nor Togolese cinema, the Minister of Culture and Tourism reminds everyone of the social function of art, that of training, educate, entertain and soften morals.
Thus, in collaboration with the Togolese Federation of Music (FTM) and film professionals, the Minister of Culture and Tourism warns that from now on, sanctions ranging from the withdrawal of the BUTODRA card and the artist’s certificate or as a filmmaker, to the removal from the national register of artists and to the refusal of multifaceted support from the ministry, will be applied to the perpetrators of the said acts.
In the event of a repeat offence, the Minister reserves the right to enforce, in accordance with the regulations in force, Article 394 of the Criminal Code which punishes any person who disseminates or causes to be publicly disseminated incitement to practices contrary to morality by words , writing or any other means of communication.
The same will apply to producers, promoters, managers and broadcasters of this content.
Rachel Doubidji