Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Philly Mapulane, says with the growing number of harmful digital content, there is a need to tighten laws and regulations. Mapulane was addressing the media in Pretoria on the Films and Publications Amendment Act (2019).
The act was declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa and effective from the 1st of March 2022. Revisions to the Act were made due to changes in the way that films, games, and certain publications are distributed – from physical distribution in cinemas and home DVDs to the online space, streaming services, and social media.
Mapulane says changes to the FPA Act seeks to protect the South African public from exposure to prohibited content distributed online, as well as exposure of children to harmful digital content. “The regulation of online content which is still fair and transparent is the only solution to protect children or vulnerable people. We simply cannot allow content that will harm any individual or to the social cohesion of our country to remain unregulated. The Films and Publication Amendment Act, seeks to achieve exactly that.”
Press briefing proceedings in video link below:
