This approach has a distinct difference from the censorship regime used by the Apartheid government to advance the then state’s discriminatory and dehumanising political agenda.

It must be acknowledged that there is a need to improve coordination in regulating the creation, possession and distribution of audio-visual services and certain publications and by same ensure the protection of children and consumers from harmful and illegal digital and online content on all platforms.

Co-ordination and collaboration amongst and between organs of state and industry is required to ensure future-proof regulation regime for the audio-visual services and publication sector.

[6][7] Shortly after, the Film and Publication board sent five assessors to provide a rating for the artwork,[8] a move that was harshly criticized for being well outside its mandate, and beyond the remit of the purpose of the FPB.

[citation needed] During the classification proceedings, there were allegations that the FPB was acting outside its statutory remit, and that specific members had made statements or asked questions implying that it was entitled to censor political opinions and restrict freedom of the press.

[14] Specifically, the following sections from the draft detail the broadness of the powers FPB seek: The Electronic Frontier Foundation described the proposed legislation as follows: Only once in a while does an Internet censorship law or regulation come along that is so audacious in its scope, so misguided in its premises, and so poorly thought out in its execution, that you have to check your calendar to make sure 1 April hasn't come around again.

It's as if the fabled prude Mrs. Grundy had been brought forward from the 18th century, stumbled across hustler.com on her first excursion online, and promptly cobbled together a law to shut the Internet down.

[15] In the response to what is understood as one of the most draconian pieces of internet legislation seen in the world, the FPB has been on the receiving end of a growing online backlash, proliferated through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.