ENG-2015 — Page 351

16

The Media, Communications and Information Technology

secondary schools to organise IT activities each year to foster a pro-IT atmosphere and stimulate interest in IT in the school community.

Film Classification System

Hong Kong adopts a three-tier film classification system: Category | (suitable for all ages); Category II, subdivided into Category IIA (not suitable for children) and Category IIB (not suitable for young persons and children); and Category III (only for persons who have attained the age of 18 years). The aim is to allow adults wide access to films while protecting young persons under the age of 18 from exposure to potentially harmful materials. Category IIA and IIB classifications are advisory, while the age restriction for Category III films is mandatory.

In 2015, 2,065 films were submitted for classification, compared with 1,996 in 2014. Of these, 682 were classified as Category I, 661 Category IIA, 552 Category IIB, and 170 Category III. Film trailers, instructional films and cultural films intended for public exhibition can be exempted from classification. During the year, 11,429 such films were exempted from classification.

Film classification standards are kept in line with society's expectations by regular public opinion surveys and consultation with a statutory panel of advisers, comprising about 300 members drawn from different levels of society.

The Board of Review (Film Censorship), established under the Film Censorship Ordinance, is empowered to review the film censors' 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 (including distribution, circulation and sale) and public display of obscene and indecent articles (including printed matter, sound recordings, videotapes, discs and electronic publications) are regulated by the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance.

Under the ordinance, 'obscenity' and 'indecency' include violence, depravity and repulsiveness. An article may be classified as Class I (neither obscene nor indecent), Class II (indecent) or Class III (obscene). The relevant enforcement agencies (the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration, the Police Force, and the Customs and Excise Department) and the Secretary for Justice may submit articles to the Obscene Articles Tribunal for classification. Publishers, authors, printers, manufacturers, importers, distributors and copyright owners may also submit articles voluntarily to the tribunal for classification rulings before publication if in doubt.

A review of the ordinance, which included two rounds of public consultation, has ended and the government is drafting legislative amendments to improve the regulatory regime.

291