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Media and Communications
are advisory, while the age restriction for Category III films is mandatory. The classification standards are kept in line with society's expectations through public surveys and consultation with a statutory advisory panel of about 300 members drawn from different walks of life.
During the year, 2,604 films were submitted for classification, among which 993, 834, 624 and 153 films were classified as Category I, Category
IIA, Category IIB and Category III respectively.
The Board of Review (Film Censorship) is empowered under the Film Censorship Ordinance to review decisions on film classifications upon request. The board comprises nine non-official members appointed by the Chief Executive, plus the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development as an ex-officio member.
Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance
The policy objective in regulating obscene and indecent articles is to preserve public morals and protect young people from the harmful effects of obscene and indecent materials while preserving the free flow of information and safeguarding freedom of expression. The publication and public display of obscene and indecent articles, such as printed matter, sound recordings, and discs, are regulated under the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance.
The relevant enforcement agencies are the Office for, Film, Newspaper and Article Administration, the police and the Customs and Excise Department.
Under the ordinance, an article may be classified as Class I (neither obscene nor indecent), Class Il (indecent) or Class III (obscene). The ordinance prohibits the publication of Class III articles. Publishers, authors, printers, manufacturers, importers, distributors and copyright owners may submit articles voluntarily to the Obscene Articles Tribunal for classification before publication if in doubt.
Websites
Access to Government Information: www.access.gov.hk
Commerce and Economic Development Bureau: www.cedb.gov.hk
Communications Authority: www.coms-auth.hk
Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau: www.cmab.gov.hk
Digital TV: digitaltv.gov.hk
Government's online news platform: www.news.gov.hk
Home Affairs Bureau: www.hab.gov.hk
Hongkong Post: www.hongkongpost.hk
Information Services Department: www.isd.gov.hk
Office of the Communications Authority: www.ofca.gov.hk
Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration: www.ofnaa.gov.hk Radio Television Hong Kong: www.rthk.org.hk
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