The Kenya Film Classification Board Ezekiel Mutua addressing the media
at his Uchumi House offices in Nairobi on February 23, 2016.. PHOTO |
SALATON NJAU |
NATION MEDIA GROUP
The Kenya Films Classification Board will borrow
from its South African (SA) counterpart effective ways of regulating new
entrants as well as commercialising local content.
The
films regulator Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SA
Films and Publications Board that fosters common approaches in online
content regulation.
“We are alive to the challenges of
new technologies especially the lack of regulation of online content,”
said (KFCB) chief executive Ezekiel Mutua, “The entry of Netflix into
the local films space is a case in point, KFCB and FPB of South Africa
will in the next few days be sharing experiences and views on how best
to handle these situations.”
The agreement comes after
the Kenyan regulator failed in an attempt to stop Google from streaming a
music video celebrating gay couples.
Google said in
reply to the KFCB that YouTube policies were not violated in the video
and correct legal procedure was to be followed if at all the content was
disrespectful.
OVERSTEPPING
The
film board has lately been accused of overstepping its mandate in
regulation hence the need to seek expert opinion in regulation of online
content.
South Africa’s FPB CEO Themba Wakashe said
that its film industry is more developed and will aid Kenya in skills
development as well as expertise needed to oversee upcoming challenges.
Kenya’s
film sector on the other hand has experienced great growth with a
potential to generate Sh200 billion annually according to statistics by
the regulator.
In 2007, the industry earned Sh60 billion, creating thousands of new jobs for locals in the process.
No comments :
Post a Comment