The FPB wants to censor the internet – Right2Know
R2K claims the Film and Publications Board wants to police everything published on the Internet, including blogs, personal websites and Facebook pages
The Right2Know coalition has hit back at the Film and Publications Board (FPB), claiming the regulatory body is attempting to censor the internet in South Africa.
In a statement released on its website, R2K called on the public “to reject the FPB’s proposals to censor the internet in South Africa”, claiming the board wants broadly defined powers to police everything published on the internet, including blogs, personal websites and Facebook pages.
R2K wants the FPB to scrap the the Draft Online Regulation Policy document gazetted earlier this month. The coalition says the FPB must desist from any attempt to exercise pre-publication censorship of internet content, adding that:
“The document, in its vague language and open-ended statements, would leave authorities with far too much room to infringe on the public’s right to freely receive and impart information as enshrined in chapter two of the Constitution. The document states that: “Any person who intends to distribute any film, game, or certain publication in the Republic of South Africa shall first comply with section 18(1) of the [1996 Films and Publications] Act by applying, in the prescribed manner, for registration as film or game and publications distributor.” It is clear from this statement that the new regulations apply to an absurdly broad range of content that is not limited to that which is published online.”Digital media freedom is generally respected in South Africa. Political content is not censored, and neither bloggers nor content creators are targeted for their online activities. In 2013 Freedom House rated South Africa’s “Internet Freedom Status” as “Free”.
The FPB has fielded criticism before for its heavy-handed approach to censorship when it banned the South African film ‘Of Good Report’ minutes before it was due to be shown at the Durban International Film Festival in 2013.
You can read the full statement from R2K here.
The draft Online Regulation Policy is now available for public viewing here.
Any person who wishes to submit representations or comments is invited to do so within 90 days from the date of publication (March 4), by no later than 16h00.
Submissions should be emailed to policy.submissions@fpb.org.za or hand delivered to the FPB head office at ECO Glade 2, 420 Witch Hazel Street, ECO Park, Centurion, 0169 and marked for attention Ms. Tholoana Ncheke.
