The Film and Production Board (FPB), in conjunction with the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Communication, recently hosted a roadshow as part of an open dialogue with students on online harm, cyber safety and content classification.

The objective of the roadshow, that took place on the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, was to provide the youth with a platform to share their input on policy matters that affect them.

As part of the roadshow, a panel of young people bravely shared personal testimonies on online harm and cyberbullying they have experienced.

According to FPB chief executive officer Dr Mashilo Boloka, the FPB Amendment Act (no. 11) of 2019 has significantly expanded the mandate of the FPB from a traditional classification authority regulating by agreements to a fully-fledged content regulator.

“The objective is to protect citizens and children against harmful and prohibited content and activities online, including increasing unacceptable behaviour such as bullying and hate speech.

“The youth are generally more exposed to the dangers of online harm as compared to the rest of the South African community. It is therefore critical for the FPB to open dialogue with young people on what constitutes online harm, what their experiences are as they interact online, and what they propose should be done to regulate the online space better to ensure their online safety,” says Dr Boloka.

Mr Phosa Mashongoane, chairperson of FPB, says as a build-up to the South African Youth Summit and launch of the Online Youth Council, the FPB is taking this roadshow to institutions of higher learning to encourage dialogue.

“Our digital footprints follow us throughout our lives. Hence, we want to prevent online harm before it happens. Through ongoing engagement with different stakeholders, we want to ensure that everyone is made aware of these rules and their implications,” he adds.

Other organisations that formed part of the roadshow included FPB partners Media Monitoring Africa, the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa and the .ZA Domain Name Authority.

Young people talk about their experiences with online harm and cyberbullying.

Prof Mpho Chaka, deputy dean for teaching and learning in the Faculty of Humanities, welcomes students and dignitaries.

Delegates from FPB and its partner organisations network with staff members from the NWU’s School of Communication.