Professionalising content classification in Africa

Unisa’s College of Law (CLAW) and the Bureau of Market Research (BMR), in partnership with the Film and Publication Board (FPB), launched a Classification of Media Content Programme on 6 October 2016. The aim is to professionalise content classification in South Africa, and within the African continent.

At the launch of the first Classification of Media Content Programme in Africa: Back: Prof Deon Tustin (Head: BMR, Unisa), Regardt Gouws (Acting CEO: FPB), Tshegofatso Kgarabjang (Director: Legal Services, Department of Communication), and, front, Prof Rushiela Songca (ED: CLAW, Unisa), Thoko Mpumlwana (Council Chairperson:FPB), and Prof Mandla Makhanya (Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Unisa).

The programme focuses on the theoretical and practical components of media content classification in South Africa. It will consolidate the creation of awareness regarding the implications of harmful media content. The short learning programme is constructed not only to inculcate skills in professional classification but also to generate knowledge consciousness in the area of children’s rights.

The course is also targeted at existing content classifiers wishing to update their skills and targets anyone who has an interest in content classification within the industry, which includes internet streaming companies, movie distributors and broadcasters who also conduct self-classification.

The duration of the programme is 12 months and is composed of the following eight modules:

1. Introduction to selected aspects of South African law;
2. The rights of a child;
3. The Film and Publication Board – nature, scope and purpose;
4. Child development: cognitive, emotional and social and the protection of children;
5. Cinematography, the power of film and classification;
6. Gaming and new elements of new media;
7. Diverse issues related to classification; and
8. Applied classification: work integrated learning.

The launch of the Classification of Media Content Course was formalised through a signing ceremony. Regardt Gouws (Acting CEO: FPB) is pictured signing as Prof. Mandla Makhanya (Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Unisa) gets ready to add his signature, solidifying Unisa’s commitment to the programme.

Prof Mandla Makhanya, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Unisa is delighted at the scope of the course, which he has no doubt, will become integral to the advancement of anyone interested in the media, film, public and music industry. “For example, we have a budding film industry in this country and I see this course as being seminal to its healthy ethical development. It is all really exciting, more so that it will be offered online, which quite literally, makes it accessible to the world,” he pointed out.

Thoko Mpumlwana, Council Chairperson of the FPB, said that this has been a long road but worth it because the dream has finally been realised. She shared that much of the excitement stems from partnering with Unisa in particular. “We enter this partnership with a university we are proud of – the footprint of Unisa is solid, so what more can we ask for? Unisa has so much experience, but more than that it has reach.”

Mpumlwana also urged that Unisa continue generating knowledge so that societal challenges can be faced as well as the realities of change.

The FPB aims to ensure efficient and effective consumer protection through regulation of media content, while empowering the public, especially children, through robust information sharing. In addition, the FPB classifies content while maintaining relevance to the values and norms of South African society by conducting scientific research, balancing the right to freedom of expression with an obligation to protect children from exposure to potentially disturbing, harmful and inappropriate materials.

Save