MY govt's new film censorship guidelines too vague, says PTVM

The Malaysian Television Producers Association (PTVM) has reportedly said that the government's new film censorship guidelines are too vague.  

PTVM's president Jurey Latiff Rosli reportedly described the film guidelines as being too general regarding what can and cannot be done. This leaves the issue of censorship at the Film Censorship Board's (LPF) panel's discretion.

Jurey reportedly shared his concern that non-art industry professionals will end up becoming tasked with conducting the LPF evaluations and censorship.

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As such, Jurey suggested appointing industry representatives as LPF panel members to provide balance to censorship decisions, according to Malaysiakini. This is because the visual symbols have certain interpretations that only film people can catch and understand, Jurey reportedly said. 

Jurey reportedly added that some of the most common problems filmmakers face emerge only after their work is completed and sent to the LPF for review. Some problems include work being cut or films being withdrawn or banned after it has already aired. This can be prevented from the start by referring to the LPF with clear guidelines, he reportedly explained. 

Jurey reportedly added that art industry players should be involved in formulating any new guidelines too. 

Earlier this week, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail launched the new film censorship guidelines under the Ministry of Home Affair's film censorship board. 

According to the minister, in a statement seen by A+M, the new guidelines is an improvement from the previous iteration and outlines three key pillars: security and public order, religion and morality, and socio-cultural factors. 

At the launch, Saifuddin reportedly said that the aspiration of LPF is to minimise modification directives so as not to affect the aesthetic value of a film. 

The minister reportedly added that the new guidelines have received input from various parties, including industry players, academics and non-governmental organisations. 

According to the new film censorship guidelines booklet, film content must not incite racial issues, political tension, misunderstandings and confusion about religion, reported Bernama. 

Furthermore, film content must not depict wild, unprincipled, deviant lifestyles that contradict cultural values and could harm the moral values of society. 

This comes after the communications ministry said that it aims to expand the local Malaysian industry throughout Southeast Asia. Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil observed that the Southeast Asian film industry has huge potential based on the population of the region, according to Bernama. 

The minister reportedly added that the Southeast Asian market is a big market and that his ministry would review the digital content fund to develop the country's film industry. 

Fahmi also reportedly said that his ministry has instructed the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) to have a meeting with its strategic partners in the region.

This includes meeting with film distributors and inviting speakers so that the government's efforts and aims towards the ASEAN Cinema can be achieved. 

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