A television channel in Ivory Coast apologised after airing a show in which a male guest introduced as an ex-rapist showed how he assaulted his victims using a dummy for the demonstration.
The programme, broadcast at prime time on Monday by the private Nouvelle Chaine Ivorienne (NCI) channel, caused a massive outcry and sparked a petition signed by 37,500 people demanding that the presenters be punished.
Ivory Coast’s independent communications council later announced the suspension of popular presenter Yves de Mbella, saying in a statement that the segment used obscene language, condoned rape and attacked the dignity of women.
“I’m sincerely sorry to have shocked everyone while trying to raise awareness,” de Mbella wrote on Facebook. “I made an error.”
“I’m also sorry for everything that was said or done during that sequence of the programme yesterday that hurt,” he wrote. “I beg for forgiveness from all victims of rape.”
The NCI television station apologised for airing it and cancelled the final episode of this particular show which had been scheduled for Friday.
The segment was widely condemned on social media platforms in Ivory Coast and across West and Central Africa.
“Please tell me I’m dreaming,” Priss’K, an Ivorian rapper, wrote on Facebook. “It’s disgusting, unacceptable, disrespectful, especially towards women,” she wrote.
Telecoms operator MTN, the sponsor of the Miss Ivory Coast pageant that de Mbella is scheduled to host in September said in a statement it would take firm measures in response to the segment but did not say whether de Mbella would still host.
With Reuters and AFP