Protecting SA’s children is the FPB’s top priority
THERE has been much outcry about the Film and Publications Board’s (FPB) draft online regulation policy, with those who have not read and understood the document properly claiming the FPB is trying to censor the internet.
Apart from the fact that it is not our job, nor is it our intent, to censor or regulate the internet, we are smart enough to know that this is simply not possible.
In fact, we trust platforms like Facebook and YouTube to regulate the content that appears on those media, because just like the FPB, these organisations and others are working hard to protect children from inappropriate and damaging content.
Similarly, apart from the constitution’s guaranteeing every South African’s right to free speech, we know that many sectors of the media have very effective self-regulation bodies in place, and we do not presume to tread on their toes in any way.
The advertising industry, for example, is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority, to which consumers can turn if they find any advertising content offensive.
The press ombudsman is the final authority on media content. We have engaged with both these bodies when we felt that content published within their jurisdiction was dangerous to children.
Before likening the draft online regulation policy to apartheid-era censorship, it is important to understand the FPB’s mandate, established by law.
We are tasked with protecting South Africa’s children by preventing the proliferation of child pornography, and to provide parents with accurate classification of content, so that they can protect their children from potentially damaging content.
Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi said in her address at the opening of the FPB Classification and Online Protection Conference, that 97 percent of students in Gauteng alone had access to the internet, via cellphone or personal computer.
She also pointed out that recent studies had shown child porn and human trafficking perpetrators targeted jurisdictions where the chance of prosecution and capture was the least – a factor that is behind the South African government’s intent to create policy and legislation around the online environment.
Without these policies and legislation in place, law enforcement entities would be unable to prosecute perpetrators if they did indeed arrest them – as there could be no trial or conviction if there was no law or policy governing a particular activity or event.
The FPB’s draft online policy is, therefore, an important step forward in South Africa’s efforts to protect its children, and to prevent them from being drawn into the dangers of online pornography – the bridge into exploitation in the real world.
The policy is also just one way we are working to protect our children and to educate South Africans about safety online. We hosted innovative activations at the recent Sexpo exhibition, and at rAge, South Africa’s largest gaming convention.
The FPB makes its classification recommendations based on its research into societal norms, and indeed it recognises that these change over time.
For example, we have, on appeal, changed classification levels on several films, which may have offended sensitivities 20 years ago, but are more accepted in society today.
Similarly, if a media owner feels that an FPB classification of their content is unreasonable, the FPB has appeal processes in place, and classifications can be reviewed and re-issued.
Panel of specialists
The classification process itself is not a random, isolated one either. Each item of content is reviewed by a panel of trained and experienced specialists, who discuss any elements that may be damaging to children of a particular age.
Once this process is complete, they agree on a classification for that item of content. Parents and teachers can trust this as a realistic guide when they consider sharing it with children.
It is only by engaging with the public on an ongoing basis, through our outreach and education activities, as well as through stakeholder relations efforts with industry, that we can respond to the needs and suggestions of South Africans, and thus ensure we deliver on our mandate to protect the country’s children.
This is a great opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard.
Without these policies and legislation in place, law enforcement entities would be unable to prosecute perpetrators if they did indeed arrest them.