Lubao FM News 
The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has proposed new guidelines that will allow industry players to be involved in the examination and classification of content intended for broadcast on various platforms.
KFCB intends to allow broadcasters and online streaming service providers to categorize 70% of audiovisual content on their platforms using local cinema classification criteria, according to the Co-Regulation Framework for broadcast, Video on Demand (VOD), and Over the Top (OTT) content.
KFCB will only classify 30% of the content intended for broadcast on traditional broadcasting and new media platforms under the proposed agreement. The local film and broadcast content regulator will conduct regular assessments on 70% of the self-classified content to verify compliance.
Broadcasters, VOD, and online streaming service platforms will be able to self-classify a certain percentage of audiovisual content intended for broadcast on their platforms after their staff has been trained on the KFCB’s Film Classification Guidelines.
Content broadcasters, VOD and OTT platform operators will be able to use KFCB’s age-appropriate insignia on self-classified content, according to the proposed Framework.
The legislation currently mandates that the KFCB review and classify audiovisual content intended for transmission, distribution, or exhibition in the country. However, as the broadcast industry has become more digitized and the number of players has grown, unlabeled audio-visual content has proliferated on broadcast, VOD, OTT, and online streaming platforms.
The transition from analogue to digital television transmission, as well as the rapid growth and penetration of the internet, has resulted in an increase in content production and distribution platforms, necessitating a rethinking of the regulator’s regulatory processes and frameworks to keep up with market dynamics.
With its current personnel levels, the Korean Film and Transmission Content Board (KFCB) is unable to meet the legal duty to evaluate and classify all audiovisual content intended for broadcast.
In light of the rapidly evolving market and technological dynamics, implementation of the proposed Framework is expected to result in increased industry compliance with the Films and Stage Plays Act as well as ease the process of examination and classification for broadcasters.
The framework is also intended to facilitate an enabling regulatory environment for the broadcast sector, which has faced intense competition from digital platforms such as VOD and online streaming services.
KFCB has made the framework available on its website for public and stakeholder comment and input. The consultation will end on April 4th of next month.
The consultation document can be accessed on https://kfcb.go.ke/policies
