The Censorship office is the office responsible for classifing films, publications that may need to be restricted or banned. Films and publications are censored in accordance with the Film and Censorship Act 1985. We are also responsible for monitoring the continuing relevance and consistency of such legislation with the community’s religious, social and cultural norms.

WHAT DOES THE OFFICE CLASSIFY?

Any written, recorded or stored information or images eg films videos, dvds, audio-music tapes, books, magazines, computer games, screen-printed t-shirts etc or any materials that depicts moving images and sounds.

Dealing with materials restricted, unrestricted or objectionable behaviour such as violence, sex, and bad language, cruelty dehumanizing women, men and children.

WHAT CLASSIFICATION DOES THE CENSORSHIP OFFICE CLASSIFY A PUBLICATION AS?

On the restricted materials the censorship office classifies those as either R16 of R18.
Objectionable materials means – BANNED. Material can be classified unrestricted if the publication is not likely to harm the public.

WHY DOES THE CENSORSHIP OFFICE MAKE THESE RESTRICTIONS?

The office does this to classify a publication as restricted or objectionable/ unrestricted if it thinks that making the publication available to everyone is harmful or not.

Restricted are intended to stop some people from being able to see, read or having a copy, to protect them from harm or prevent from harming others. It does so, because it believes that it would be harmful for society if under age.

HOW WILL I KNOW THE CLASSIFICATION?

Films, videos, publications with moving images such as computer games have to carry official labels that are green or yellow if the publication is unrestricted. The Red symbol indicates that it is restricted; other types of publications like magazines and music tapes can carry labels if they are restricted as well.

If the material is objectionable the Chief Censor attaches a non hire or sell sticker on it or the material is detained and dispose of in a way that the Chief Censor thinks fit.

For more information you should contact us on 29370 and ask for the Censor Office