NEW FILM GUIDELINE SOON

BY MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: A 16-year-old guideline currently used by the National Censorship Board will be revamped with the promise to give film a certain level of flexibility and freedom without having to compromise on security, racial and religious harmony, socio-culture and values.
Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said a draft has been prepared and was being studied by film producers and script writers who were given the opportunity to give their views and suggestion on how the guideline should be shaped.
“What is special about the guideline is that it is drawn with the participation of the industry players, authorities and other interested parties.
“We are engaging in this open concept. This is not a rule set by the ministry and for others to follow. This is a set of rules which stakeholders had thrown ideas into.
“However, we expect them to abide by the rules later because they are the ones who had a hand in laying it down,” he told reporters after a dialogue session with players in the entertainment industry including film producers and script writers here on Saturday.
Mahmood said the guideline revolved around four elements - security and public order, religion, socio-culture and ethics values, citing an example that while there would not be an outright “no-no” for film producers to have a storyline on religion, it should not potray that one religion was better than the other.
“Crime and criminals can be highlighted, but it should not be in a way that will encourage audience to consider to commit crime. Likewise, certain harsh language may help enhance the dialogue of a film but not extreme profanities and vulgarities,” he said.
Mahmood said the film producers and script writers had about a month to study the draft guideline and another meeting would be convened to get feedback and ideas from them on how to further improve it.
“Today’s landscape and geo-politics have changed tremendously since the present guideline was introduced 16 years ago. We need a new one which suits todays environment and the need of a more demanding audience,” he said.