Last week, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) issued a public notice that as from 28 May 2018, anyone filming videos for public viewing will be required to obtain a license for the same. Following KFCB’s announcement, the CEO, Ezekiel Mutua, emphasized that the regulation applies to any video, including those recorded using mobile phones, as long as it is meant for public exhibition. He further explained that public exhibition includes publishing the videos on social media and the Internet.
KFCB’s new regulations will mean that anyone intending to publish any videos online will require the following:
- Pay an Annual Registration Fee of Kes.12,000
- Pay Kes.5,000 for every video you produce (as long as it is under 40 minutes)
- Pay Kes.1,000 for every day you take shooting the video
- After production is complete, send the video to KFCB for approval before you hit publish
Failure to do this will attract a fine not exceeding Kes.100,000 or imprisonment of a term not exceeding five years or both.
This did not sit well with Kenyans and they took it to social media to express their grievances and concerns. The new regulations are believed to be aimed at stifling freedom of speech as many Kenyans online have put it. They believe that the licensing regulations will actually kill content creation in the country and some have even gone as far as calling for the disbandment of KFCB:
KFCB is going way too far with these regulations of theirs, so now creatives have to pay in order to express themselves in platforms that were designed for them to do so freely?? I'm pissed off#EnoughWithKFCB #DisbandKFCB
— Nick Tembo (@iamtembo) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jamlick_/status/998865706694467584
Soon you might have to pay to reshare or upload a video even if it doesn't belong to you if KFCB is not stopped
— Droid (@droid254) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/irvinjalango/status/998836105502961665
https://twitter.com/BrianMuriithi92/status/998888830429286400
The CEO of the KFCB is crazy, but he's not doing anything illegal. As long as those regulations are on the books, iko shida. If he leaves office we might actually go from the frying pan into the fire with someone else
— igiriwM@ (@Mwirigi) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/PolycarpHinga/status/998884061102960642
Film industry will never bear fruits if KFCB continues to put hurdles for young film makers and artists. Hollywood, Bollywood e.t.c are what they are because of government support and funding. Why should we pay taxes only to be oppressed?#EnoughWithKFCB
— MOBILE JOURNALIST (@omathvictor) May 22, 2018
KFCB wants YouTubers/ Vloggers and Digital content creators to to PAY for licenses!! If found without you will be fined Ksh 100,000 or jailed for 5 years!!
What the Hell?!?!…Like WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?! This is why Kenya will never grow!!!…NKT!! BURE KABISA!!#LetUsVLOG!! pic.twitter.com/W0p9AfswbH
— Xtian Dela™ (@xtiandela) May 15, 2018
I thought KFCB is supposed to Nature talents instead it's doing the opposite smh.
— Jobu (@indimulii_) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/ashmuriithi/status/998872608606171136
What's the use of having KFCB? IS IT FOR KILLING talents/work? No wonder poverty rate will always be high #DisbandKFCB https://t.co/GNydRIGN9o
— Winnie254 (@mayyanna1) May 22, 2018
Whoever advises Ezekiel of KFCB must Re-Think. He is and Will Kill the Online Creative Industry
— Ziro Lewa (@Leziro) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/iGitz_/status/998886321975328769
How long will KFCB take to review the videos sent to them?
Just asking.
Wewe @InfoKfcb how long?— Single Cat Mum (@IAmMuthoniGitau) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/RonohKechem/status/998884994209771520
So far, KFCB still maintains that the regulates are in line with the law and that they are implementing them in good faith. However, with the increasing calls to disband the body from the online community, the story could end in the way that NTSA did – Kenyans already have an online petition going:
Join me in supporting this important cause at iPetitions. Disband KFCB and repeal Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya https://t.co/PiwETTqf2M
— WANGECHI (@wangechikenya) May 22, 2018
