KUALA LUMPUR: The Film Censorship Board (LPF) and the Home Ministry are in the midst of reviewing the possibility of reducing television stations’ censorship authority for the approval process to broadcast a film or drama series.

       Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the move was to ensure that this was under control, adding that heavier penalties could be imposed for any violation.

       “All TV stations applying the broadcast censorship process must take action against any party that disseminates video clips without permission that can tarnish their image.

       “All broadcast stations must be responsible for ensuring that a similar incident does not recur,” he said when replying to a debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address for his ministry at the Dewan Negara yesterday.

       Film and drama producers, said Zahidi, must ensure that their content complies with the film censorship guidelines by making sure that the broadcast material did not deviate from Islamic teachings, customs and culture practised by Malaysians.

       He said the guidelines should be in accordance with the regulations set by the LPF and Home Ministry, as well as the Guidelines on Content Censorship of Islamic Broadcasting Materials by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the RTM Television Broadcasting Guidelines.

       “The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) also ensures that local film industry players, who receive the Digital Content Grant Fund, comply with the terms of the contract, namely the obligation to obtain screening approval from the LPF, Home Ministry or broadcasting stations.

       “In addition, as the agency responsible for issuing licences under the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) stipulates that all Individual Content Application Service Provider (CASP-I) licence holders are required to comply with the CASP-I licence conditions,” he said as quoted by Bernama.

       Zahidi said 45 public complaints were received between 2020 and February this year involving physical humiliation.

       “Other actions include providing advice or guidance to the affected parties, and submitting the said content to social media platform providers for further scrutiny based on their community terms of services and standards,” he said.