The Film and Publications Board has released a draft policy seeking to regulate online content for comment to stakeholders.

Although the document does not appear to have been widely distributed to interested parties, the deadline for comment is 28 February 2015. Thereafter the policy is expected to be published and in force by 31 March 2016.

The draft policy ties in to the Film and Publication Board’s strategic outcome-oriented goal four in its five-year strategic performance plan, which calls for the “effective and innovative regulation of the content distributed on online, mobile
and related platforms to protect children and inform the general public”.

The intent is to create a new media content regulatory strategy for the country.

According to the five-year plan, online content regulation is a new strategic initiative identified in the 2012 strategic review process, on the realisation that online content is fast becoming one of the most popular media distribution platforms in the country.

Since the FPB has limited capacity and procedures for the regulation of content distributed online, it decided to investigate ways to regulate this sector, without delaying the rapid pace at which it distributes contents.

The programme has two strategic objectives: to develop and implement a content regulation framework and strategy that ensures classification and labelling of relevant content on the online and mobile platforms; and the form and maintain partnership with key stakeholders, regulators and law enforcement agencies/