Thought Leadership

by Phumelela Bandezi, Research Young Professional at the Film and Publication Board Mass media contributes to the sexualising of women. This is seen through the portrayal of women in social media, television, and video gaming. In 2020, the film Cuties caused much...

As we celebrate Youth Month, in remembrance of the historic uprising in Soweto and Langa townships this month 43 years ago, we reflect on the challenges young people face today. No doubt the past few years have been the toughest since our democracy. Levels of unemployment sit at 27%, the economy has not really recovered from the 2008 global recession. Forecasts predict it’s not going to get better soon. And who has borne the brunt of all this? Our youth unfortunately.

As we mobilise towards Child Protection Week, which runs from 28 May to 4 June 2019, we urge parents to be vigilant with children in their care. The abuse of children continues to be a challenge that South Africa needs to work collectively to overcome.

South African parents ought to turn their attention urgently to their children playing and constructing social rules outside the influence and guidance of adults. Violent media content, simulated and or real, is so pervasive and so viral it calls for an urgent rescue mission and a call to action.

In the age of digital disruptions, with all its possibilities and failures, it is important for us as Africans to protect the African Child, and work together to harmonise our approach to communication of the future.

The use of virtual reality and augmented reality particularly in the games and entertainment space is rising rapidly in South Africa. The Film and Publication Board, mandated to regulate media content for purposes of protecting children from premature exposure to potentially harmful content in South Africa, is watching these developments with interest, and some trepidation.

The #MeToo movement began with American activist Tarana Burke and became popularised when women in the media industry spoke out against sexual harassment and violence in the movie industry. But since October 2017 it’s turned into a global movement. The European parliament #MeToo movement opened up a debate of sexual harassment of women in its parliament, and locally activists and survivors have used the #MeToo movement to spur on campaigns such as #TotalShutdown and #TimeisNow.

The Films and Publications Board (FPB) regulates the production, exhibition and distribution of films, video games and some publications, as mandated in the Films and Publications Act of 1996. Whilst executing this mandate the board found itself in the middle of a media storm late in 2017. At issue was the film Inxeba: The Wound.