The Film and Publication Board (FPB) is planning to \u201cestablish an efficient and effective online and new media content regulatory strategy for the country\u201d.<\/p>\n
According to the FPB\u2019s strategic plan for 2014 to 2018, online content regulation is a new strategic initiative identified in its 2012 strategic review process.<\/p>\n
The need for online content regulation, the FPB said, is because the Internet is becoming one of the most popular media distribution platforms in the country.<\/p>\n
The FPB said that it is investigating \u201cinnovative mechanisms\u201d that could be used in regulating the Internet in South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe programme will entail setting up of the infrastructure necessary for effective regulation of the Internet,\u201d the FPB said.<\/p>\n
The FPB has two main online and mobile content regulation strategic objectives:<\/p>\n
Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions CEO Dominic Cull said that industry players and consumers should become aware that online content regulation in South Africa may be here soon.<\/p>\n
He said, at ConvergeSA 2014, that the FPB, which now sits within the \u201cnew\u201d Department of Communications, is already positioning itself as an online content regulator in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Cull said that an amendment in 2004 to the Film and Publications Act of 1996 meant that all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were required to register with the FPB. A further amendment in 2009 created a statutory offence for failing to register, with the possibility of imprisonment as a sanction.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday the latest Film and Publications Regulations say that you are prohibited from operating as an ISP unless you are registered with the FPB, have provided a tax clearance certificate and a statement detailing which measures you take to protect children from exposure to \u2018pornography and child pornography\u2019, given that you provide Internet access,\u201d said Cull.<\/p>\n
Regulations published in March 2014 appear to have expanded the requirements for registration with the FPB to include mobile content providers and online content providers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is by no means clear who is required to register and the FPB should move quickly to clarify its position in this regard,\u201d added Cull.<\/p>\n
Online distributors and large international online platforms are also required to register with the FPB as \u201conline distributors\u201d, at a fee of up to R750,000 per year (determined \u201cat the discretion of the executive committee\u201d of the FPB).<\/p>\n
This article first appeared on MyBroadband<\/a><\/p>\n BRICS must take control of the Internet<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Surprising number of South Africans okay with US spying<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n