The Film and Publication Board (FPB) says it has commenced with the process to review and amend regulatory instruments to accommodate the institution’s expanded mandate. This includes the obligation to execute the amended regulations of the controversial Act, dubbed the “Internet Censorship Act”.
The FPA was signed into law in 2019. However, its operationalisation was put in abeyance to allow the FPB to adequately prepare and undertake certain critical regulatory exercises as required by the Act.
The regulations,
gazetted earlier this month, seek to make provision for online content distribution, and allow the FPB to be the final arbiter to determine what forms of expression are allowed or not allowed online.
It stipulates that commercial online content distributors have to submit content available on their platforms for classification by the FPB, or enter into individual exemption agreements with the FPB.
In line with advancements in digital technologies, the Act also seeks to ensure citizens of SA are protected from content in films, games and online platforms, which could cause them moral, emotional or psychological harm.
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