Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      The internet’s weakest link is under the ocean

      17 July 2025

      AI misuse shakes South African courtrooms

      17 July 2025

      Boom gates go hi-tech at South African malls

      17 July 2025

      Megayachts and mansions: the lavish life of 80-year-old Larry Ellison

      17 July 2025

      Mobile money lifts Africa savings to decade high

      17 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025
    • In-depth

      The 1940s visionary who imagined the Information Age

      14 July 2025

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS+ | Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for Galaxy A-series phones

      16 July 2025

      TCS+ | MVNX on the opportunities in South Africa’s booming MVNO market

      11 July 2025

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025
    • Opinion

      A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

      15 July 2025

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » FPB won’t regulate online media

    FPB won’t regulate online media

    By Agency Staff14 July 2015
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp
    Image: Isaac Mao
    Image: Isaac Mao

    The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has agreed in principle to defer the regulation of online press content to the Press Council of South Africa.

    In a joint statement from the Interactive Advertising Bureau of South Africa (IAB), the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) and Press Council, the organisations say that the FPB endorsed the revised press code which would regulate online press content in SA.

    While the FPB will continue to hear proposals regarding online content as it develops policy, the agreement between the organisations will cover the publication of content produced by media members of the Press Council.

    “The exemption granted to the Press Council in respect of self-regulation is explicitly recognised in the Films and Publications Act and the FPB remains the entity which has the ultimate authority to regulate content as set out in the act,” said Internet Service Providers’ Assocation regulator advisor Dominic Cull.

    The exemption of online content granted to the Press Council mirrors that enjoyed by traditional print publication regulation in South Africa.

    “Section 16 of the Films and Publications Act currently exempts publishers of newspapers and magazines recognised by the Press Ombudsman (and which subscribe to the press code) from the FPB classification requirements that apply generally to all other forms of publication,” said the statement.

    However, the agreement presents a definitive move forward for online media publication in South Africa.

    “The next step is to finalise the code in the constitution and reconstitute the Press Council,” said Andrew Allison, head of the regulatory affairs for the IAB.

    The FPB had been under pressure following the publication of its draft proposals that sought to regulate all online content in South Africa, including any “film, game or certain publication” that would include classification of material on international platforms such as Facebook and Google.

    However, the agreement does not cover non-press content and the FPB will continue to hear submissions regarding its draft regulations.

    Despite that, it is unlikely that non-press content will see significantly different standards in terms of how the material is regulated.

    “I don’t think there’ll be different tiers. We’ve had positive confirmation from the Film and Publication Board CEO that the current exemption that applies to the press will be extended to general press content irrespective of the medium in which it is published,” Allison said.  — Fin24



    Andrew Allison Dominic Cull FPB IAB Ispa Sanef
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleMystery surrounds SA nuclear plan
    Next Article ‘Spammer’ lashes out at Ispa

    Related Posts

    TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

    4 July 2025

    Internet industry backs Solly Malatsi’s BEE reform plan

    3 July 2025

    Don’t expect Starlink in South Africa anytime soon

    24 June 2025
    Company News

    SA businesses embrace gen AI – but strategy and skills are lagging

    17 July 2025

    Ransomware in South Africa: the human factor behind the growing crisis

    16 July 2025

    Mental wellness at scale: how Mac fuels October Health’s mission

    15 July 2025
    Opinion

    A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

    15 July 2025

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.