XN000022-1994-01-13 — Page 21

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994

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THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THIS OFFENCE IS A FINE OF $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.

THE OTHER MAIN FEATURES OF THE ORDINANCE INCLUDED: ALL ADVERTISING MATERIALS FOR A VIDEOTAPE AND LASERDISC MUST STATE CLEARLY THE CLASSIFICATION GIVEN BY TELA, I.E. CAT. I, II AND III.

ALSO, THE PACKAGING OF A CAT. III TAPE OR DISC MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TELA.

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IF THE PACKAGING CONTAINS

ANY INDECENT MATTERS, TELA WILL

REQUIRE IT TO BE ENCLOSED IN AN OPAGUE WRAPPER.

TELA HAD ISSUED GUIDELINES IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO HELP VIDEO SHOPS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LAW.

THESE GUIDELINES INCLUDE THE ADVICE THAT WHEN THE SHOP STAFF SUSPECT THAT A PERSON BUYING OR RENTING A CAT. III VIDEOTAPE OR LASERDISC IS BELOW THE AGE OF 18. THEY WOULD ASK THE PERSON TO PRODUCE PROOF OF HIS OR HER AGE.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE NEW LAW WAS ENACTED SIX MONTHS AGO AND THE ADMINISTRATION DEFERRED IMPLEMENTING IT UNTIL NOW IN ORDER TO GIVE THE TRADE SUFFICIENT TIME TO MAKE PREPARATION.

"OUR INSPECTORS WILL MAKE REGULAR VISITS, TO ENSURE THAT THE

NEW LAW IS COMPLIED WITH, HE SAID.

CONCURRENT WITH THE NEW ORDINANCE CERTAIN NEW FEES APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND GAZETTED WILL BE INTRODUCED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 14.

FEES WILL BE PAYABLE WHEN THE FILM IS DEALT WITH BY TELA WITH

A VIEW TO GRANTING AN EXEMPTION.

THE SPOKESMAN SALD FEES WERE CHARGED ONLY WHEN A FILM WAS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL.

"HOWEVER, THE TIME AND EFFORT REQUIRED IN EXAMINING A FILM IS THE SAME WHETHER OR NOT IT RESULTS IN A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION OR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL.

"IT IS RIGHT, THEREFORE, THAT FEES SHOULD BE CHARGED IN BOTH CASES, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

HOWEVER, THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY WILL REMIT THE SHE IS SATISFIED THAT THE FILM WILL BF EXHIBITED BY 1 FILM SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS WHICH ARE NON-PROFIT-MAKING OR THAT THE FILM WILL BE EXHIBITED FOR CULTURAL. EDUCATIONAL OR RELIGIOUS ONLY,

FEES IF CLUB OR

PURPOSES

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