The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Christopher Wambua on Friday, May 12, revealed a key challenge in filtering content on Kenyan TV shows.
According to the CEO, the rapid increase of television channels has complicated their job to protect children from harmful content.
He noted that TV stations shot up from 15 to over 100 in a span of a few years making it difficult to monitor content development to ensure children do not consume harmful materials.
He, however, assured the public that the board was working to ensure children are protected.
Wambua pleaded with the respective management of broadcasters and film streamers to work with the board to facilitate the classification of content running on their platforms.
"This category will apply to KFCB to offer regulatory oversight on the self-classification just to ensure that the young ones are protected from inappropriate content," he added.
To protect more children, Wambua proposed a new film rating (PG 13) targeting children aged between 10 and 16 years.
Currently, the film ratings are General Exhibition (GE), Parental Guidance (PG), 10, 16, 18, and Restricted.
The CEO was in Western Kenya where he affirmed that the government was working to encourage local filmmakers across the country to target children aged between 10 and 16 years.
"We are reaching out to the Council of Governors (COG) to consider incentivising filmmaking by lowering levies charged to help minimise the high cost paid by local filmmakers in Kenya," he explained.
On April 26, KFCB announced a crackdown on online users who shared disturbing and offensive videos adding that those found guilty will face the consequences.
"The Board shall continue to monitor and flag offensive and disturbing audio-visual content and report the same to relevant government agencies and operators for appropriate action," Wambua declared.
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