The Kenya Film Classification Board has been using social media of late to express the regulator’s opinions on certain issues that are apparently within their mandate. They wanted Google to take down a certain video on YouTube and wanted Netflix to be regulated.
They are now taking a step forward where they tweeted that they are partnering with other government agencies to regulate social media.
#KFCB is engaging other Government agencies to have policies in place to regulate social media.
— Kenya Film Classification Board (@InfoKfcb) March 24, 2016
The issue of regulating social media didn’t go well with people on Twitter and they voiced their opinions about the matter:
Ok! @infokfcb what exactly do you mean but "regulate social media"???? Issuing users with licence to log in or what?
— Tony Watima (@Watimz) March 24, 2016
@InfoKfcb since when is social media a film? Why are you crossing your boundaries?
— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) March 24, 2016
@InfoKfcb we should regulate you to never ever tweet. Keep your opinions to your obsolete bureaucratic selves.
— Vincent Wanyeki (@crosswanyeki) March 24, 2016
KFCB feels like that acquaintance who judges everything you say, watch or read. And if you look like you're enjoying it, they snip it.
— Kawi 🌻 (@Kawiria) March 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/Maximilus/status/712942629948928001
KFCB regulating social media is like my mom when she locks up the remote so we won't be able to watch TV.
— Haroun Risa™ (@RisaHaroun) March 24, 2016
The bone of contention is the confusion around KFCB’s mandate over the issue. On their Twitter bio, they have generalized their mandate:
Kenya Film Classification Board is a film content regulator working to ensure films conform to national films.
This is the confusion: On paper, it appears that KFCB does not have a mandate on social media and it is limited to regulating films. The Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 enunciates the role of KFCB:
On their website, they have added extra information about the role of the board:
You may understand why KFCB wants to regulate social media. These networks have media content in them and they need regulation but the current legislation seems to be outdated to handle the new developments in the world wide web.
Social media is one of the platforms that is used to distribute audio visual content.@EzekielMutua https://t.co/Ku3IwbfJjI
— Kenya Film Classification Board (@InfoKfcb) March 24, 2016
They didn’t specify which other government agencies they have partnered with to regulate social media and it is still not clear what “regulation” means. In other countries, regulation of social media means blocking people from accessing this platforms like during the Uganda elections and in Turkey.
