The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has issued a stern warning about sharing private sexual content online, with hefty fines and imprisonment for offenders.
It advised members of the public to refrain from sharing videos depicting private sexual photographs or films on any medium, including the internet and social media, without prior consent of the individual who appears in such content.
The FPB said any person who distributes such private sexual photographs and films is committing an offence and may be liable to a fine of up to R300 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding four years or to both.
“The role of the FPB is to protect children from harmful content in the first instance and secondarily, to provide adult audiences with information that will enable them to avoid video material that is likely to offend them,” it said in a statement.
“Therefore the distribution of such content on social media platforms could result in content being accessed by various users, including children.”
The FPB said it has noted with concern a video clip posted on various social media platforms showing a group of men being assaulted at Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria being forced to perform explicit sexual acts which violates or shows disrespect for the right to human dignity.
In terms of the Films and Publications Act, 1996, it is a criminal offence to distribute in public content which contains explicit sexual conduct which violates or shows disrespect for the right to human dignity of any person, the statement further read.
“Any person who distributes such restricted content shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, be liable to a maximum fine of R500 000 or to imprisonment for a maximum period of five years or to both.”
While acknowledging that the initial distribution of such restricted content in the Zanzou matter appears to be with the intention to report such incidents, the FPB emphasises that continuous sharing of such content will result in an offence being committed.
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