1. Censorship
Media law

2. Outcomes Define the concept “censorship”
Discuss the various forms of censorship
Discuss the regulation of pornography in South Africa
Discuss how indecent, obscene and pornographic matter is regulated in South Africa

3. What is censorship?
The Oxford dictionary defines a censor as:

4. Censorship

5. Types of censorship
State censorship – where the State imposes restrictions
Self-regulation – where an individual or community or group imposes restrictions
Prior restraint – the restriction of speech or expression by a Sate official before it enters the public domain

6. State censorship (Generally) no State censorship in SA
Restriction imposed by State
Freedom of expression constitutionally entrenched
Balancing of interests
Society dictates values and morals
Child pornography
(Generally) no State censorship in SA

7. Self-regulation Self censorship
Used fairly extensively in South Africa
Not subject to legal restraint (voluntary)
Examples
South African Press Code
Code of Advertising Practice

8. Prior restraint Pre-publication checking of matter
Undesirable as secretive, easy to remove anti-government opinions, heavy handed etc
Only films subject to prior restraint in SA
Film & Publications Board

9. South African approach
Films etc – prior restraint
Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996
Printed matter
On complaint