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The Government will be inviting members of the public to serve as adjudicators of the OAT later this month.
The bill also clarifies the meaning of "publisher" to include specifically persons who control or manage the printing, manufacturing or reproduction of an article. Any person who knowingly or wilfully allows his name to be printed on an indecent article as the publisher of the article when in fact he is not, commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
Furthermore, the Bill empowers inspectors of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority to seize indecent articles in public places. This should greatly facilitate the control and regulation of indecent articles.
Turning to the Film Censorship (Amendment) Bill, Mr So said its main objectives were to impose compulsory censorship on the advertising materials of Category III films and to divide the existing Category II films into two sub-categories. It was originally proposed that Category II films should carry a notice specifying that they were either "not suitable for children below 12 (parental guidance recommended)" or "not suitable for persons below 18".
The film industry was concerned about the wording of these two notices and suggested using a more general wording without any reference to age.
"After balancing the community's interest to have more information about Category II films against the film industry's deep concem, we have agreed to revise the notices to read 'not suitable for children' and 'not suitable for young persons and children'," Mr So said.
"We believe that the two revised notices now represent a reasonable compromise. The new approach has the advantage of being flexible and could provide parents with adequate advice. At the same time, it will not impose undue restrictions on the film industry."
The Secretary also announced that the three official members of the Film Censorship Board of Review, namely the Secretary for Home Affairs, the Director of Social Welfare and the Director of Education, would be replaced by three non-official members. The change will bring in a wider range of community views into the Board.
The Secretary for Recreation and Culture will remain on the Board as the ex- officio member to advise on policy matters.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.