This report highlights the Film and Publication Board’s (FPB) activities and accomplishments for the financial year ended 31 March 2023. These activities are derived from the Films and Publications Act (no 11), as amended in 2019 which came into effect on 1 March 2022. As mentioned previously, this Act did not just expand our mandate, it further transformed us into a fully-fledged regulator with legitimate
powers to grant and register online content distribution licences/certificates, while still carrying the historical classification function and operating a Hotline where Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) can be reported.
Our Achievements and Milestones
The continued decline in physical materials submitted for classification during this period, through global industry trends, is a reminder of the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic which severely impacted all of us socially and economically. As we begin to witness an economic rebound in many areas of the business, I am proud of the resilience our organisation showed, not only to emerge from the Covid-induced hardships, but our ability to successfully manage the transition in response to the Films & Publications Amendment Act.
Noting the unsatisfactory 53% performance rating posted during the 2021/22 Financial Year, we needed to improve in this area so as to demonstrate our capacity to deliver on our expanded mandate to our stakeholders. Despite the massive transformation activities we had
to undertake, particularly in the first half of the financial year owing to the alignment to the Act, we still managed to achieve an impressive 92% performance rate against the commitments made in the Annual Performance Plan (APP). This is undoubtedly a testament to our prudent management, resilient businesses, and a commitment by our staff to a high performing organisation.
Corporate governance
The FPB is fully committed to managing its regulatory business in a sustainable way and upholding the highest standards of ethics and corporate governance practices. The FPB Council is ultimately accountable for the performance of the entity, appreciating that strategy, risk, performance and sustainability are inseparable.
The clean audit achieved during the reporting period is not only a reflection of our commitment to clean governance, but also our governance framework based on the principles contained in the Films and Publications Act, (no.11 of 2019), the Public Finance Management Act (1998) and King IV Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (2016).
Our vision in Action
In line with our vision as a leading African regulator, we have continued to play a leading role championing age-appropriateness to content consumption through a robust rating system on the continent and online safety on the global front. Our participation on the Continental Content Rating Harmonisation Group, INHOPE and global partnerships on Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images (NCII) in Miami-USA, reflect our commitment to this vision. As the FPB online harms is a borderless problem that requires a global response. We will continue to forge partnerships in this regard.
In closing
The online environment is fluid and rapidly evolving. The solid performance posted during this financial year, supported by the clean audit, reaffirms the resilience of our organisation in adapting to the new challenges and our unwavering commitment to play our part as an online content regulator who exists to serve public interest by protecting the public against online harm, particularly children, youth, women and people with disabilities.
We are indebted to all our diverse stakeholders for their continued support during the financial year, particularly the Minister and Deputy Minister for their leadership in driving the necessary reforms shaping the FPB into a content regulatory authority equipped to address the challenges of the digital era. Finally, we owe our achievements to all our hardworking and dedicated employees, the FPB Team who despite all the challenges, have made 2022/23 a successful year. Sisonke! We are together!