Research

The research carried out by the unit forms the empirical basis for the FPB’s work. The unit is responsible for knowledge creation and preservation, assisting the organisation in making relevant regulatory decisions. Our surveys help assess the organisation’s own work (e.g. our outreach and public education campaigns) or the public’s agreement or disagreement with our mandate (convergence surveys). Secondly the unit supports policy-development through desktop research. Thirdly, the dissemination of our work helps in our advocacy work, where we present research findings on important platforms, including national and international conferences, as well as through opinion pieces in the media. The fourth leg of our work is our Knowledge and Information Management (KIM), which applies systemic approaches to leveraging the knowledge and information generated in the operations of the organisation. In addition to preserving institutional memory and therefore preventing duplication of efforts, KM creates an environment that enables tacit knowledge to be shared among employees.

Convergence Survey Report FPB – October 2020

This Convergence Survey 2020 report details the work carried out by the FPB to assess the levels of agreement between the age ratings assigned to media content with societal norms and values. Media content classification in South Africa caries features of deliberative democracy. This means the regulations utilised in carrying out media content regulation must be informed by research, be subjected to the Constitution, and be in line with the views, norms and standards held widely by society…..

2015 Conference Report

The Film and Publications Board (FPB) held a classification and online child protection conference at Misty Hills Conference Centre, Johannesburg on 12 – 14 October 2015. The conference was attended by representatives
of Government Departments, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Child Protection groups, Non-governmental
Organisations (NGO’s), South African Police Services (SAPS), online global giants Google and Facebook, as well
as media and community organisations were also represented….

Impact of Media Material on Children in S.A.

The main aim of the study was to determine the impact of media content on children to ensure that the classification guidelines, and in particular, the age restrictions, are aligned with the development stages of South African Children…

FPB Convergence Survey Report – June 2014

In an age where viewers can be exposed to harmful or sensitive content in numerous media forms, a  review of the public’s awareness, understanding and application of classification guidelines is critical. As such, the FPB undertakes a periodic review process to determine what the public’s views are regarding their classification decisions….

Research on the prevalence of online and informal media content distribution channels in South Africa

The FPB commissioned Deloitte to research and determine the prevalence of online and informal distribution channels for films and video games in SA. This study does not constitute a legal opinion or analysis. This research project was merely a high level scoping exercise conducted in order to provide guidance on the possible regulation of informal and online content distribution…

Child Pornography in the age of internet (HSRC Review)

This report, undertaken for the Film and Publications Board of South Africa and was prompted by the new Film and Publications Act which criminalises the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse images – commonly referred to as ‘child pornography.’

Internet Usage and Exposure of Pornography to Learners in SA

This survey of Internet usage and the exposure of learners to pornography is part of the Film and Publication Board’s response to concerns expressed by Government, teachers, parents and child protection practitioners about the exposure of children in South Africa to objectionable materials, particularly on the Internet.

An Exploratory Study on New Media Usage Among Adolescents In Selected Schools In Tshwane – 2009

The immense change in the media environment, specifically in South Africa over the past few decades, is
evident from the following major evolutions in the communication  industry of South Africa…

The Role of South African Organisations in the Fight Against Child Pornography – November 2008

The Internet is one of the major channels through which child pornography is viewed, downloaded and distributed. In South Africa, the workplace provides the widest access to the Internet and email and as part of its efforts to prevent and control the prevalence of child pornography, the Film and Publication Board (FPB) needed to understand what organisations are doing to prevent the viewing, downloading, or distribution of child pornography at the workplace…

FPB Investigation into the Exposure of Children to Sexually Explicit Content – March 2008

The research was aimed at examining the extent and reaction of children to the exposure of sexually explicit content via cell phones and the Internet.
The Film and Publication Board is protecting and lobbying for the safety and the innocence of South African children by through the suggestions of regulations and the monitoring of internet sites and cell phone access and usage…

Exploring The FPB Classification Guidelines And Viewing Choices Of Children – February 2008

The Film and Publication Board (FPB) commissioned a research study, exploring parent’s perception and attitudes towards children’s media viewing habits and the use of FPB classification guidelines when making viewing choices. The study is part of the FPB ongoing research not only to ensure that classification guidelines reflect the norms, values and levels of tolerance amongst the South African society but also to provide South Africans with relevant media content information and to protect children from exposure to age-inappropriate materials…

The Use of Children in Pornography in South Africa – August 2007

The Terms of Reference for this report address the following issues: 1. The use of South African children in the making of child pornography (child abuse images) as an aspect of sexual abuse. 2. The extent of manufacturing and distribution of child pornography (child abuse images) in South Africa. 3. The number of reported child pornography cases (prosecutions for the manufacture, distribution and use of child abuse images) in South Africa; cases that went to court, prosecution and sentencing patterns…

FPB Public perception and use of FPB Classification Guidelines – March 2007

This survey of the public’s perception and use of FPB guidelines is part of the Film and Publication Board’s ongoing research not only to ensure that classification decisions are based on, and reflect, generally-accepted community norms, values, virtues and standards of tolerance but also to encourage better use of classification decisions, especially when making viewing or reading choices for children. The survey, conducted among randomly-selected focus-groups of parents in each of the provinces, will also provide information to ensure that the guidelines used in the classification and rating of films, interactive computer games and publications respond to contemporary South African cultural values…