Kenyans to Register with Kenya Film and Classification Board Before Posting Videos for Public Consumption

The Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) empowered by a new law has announced that a filming license must be obtained by anyone in Kenya before broadcasting videos for public viewing including broadcast through social media and the internet.

The new law which is expected to take effect from 28 May 2018 will guide the publishing and broadcasting of any video(s) for public consumption.  Subsequently, defaulters, particularly those who fail to register with KFCB before publishing any video will face imprisonment or a fine.

A statement released by KFCB reads, “It has come to our attention that there are some filmmakers, both local and international, operating in the country without filming licenses. In this regard, the Board would like to inform all film agents, producers, and the general public that creation of any film meant for public exhibition without a filming license from KFCB is illegal.”

In a chat with the media, Ezekiel Mutua, CEO at KFCB, stressed that the regulation applies to all videos as long as the materials are meant for public exhibition including videos recorded using mobile phones.

While clarifying the what entails public exhibition, Mutua explained that public exhibition includes publishing the videos on social media and the Internet.

According to iAfrikan, KFCB have given those looking to continue publishing videos for “public exhibition” until 28 May 2018 to register for a license. Failure to register will carry a maximum fine of KSh 100,000 ($1,000) or a maximum prison sentence of 5 years.

The new law has not settled well with Kenyans with many criticizing it as being tantamount to censorship considering how the general public will not necessarily be interested in getting filming license. Many also view the punishment as being too harsh.

Kenya is not the first country to put in place internet and social media censorship in Africa. Countries like Cameroon, Tanzania, etc have had regulations in place to gag  users’ access to the internet and social media.