NEWS crews do not need the film production licence from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), said the body’s chairman, Zakaria Abdul Hamid.
He said news agencies don’t need filming licences for news coverage which include press conferences and B-roll footage.
However, except for state news agencies such as RTM and Bernama, private news agencies need the film production licence and the film authentication certificate (SPP) for filming of documentaries.
“Documentaries will require licences but press conferences and others which are considered news coverage, there is no need for a licence.
“Filming documentaries are different from shooting for news coverage,” Zakaria told The Malaysian Insight.
He, however, encouraged news agencies to apply for the licence which can be renewed annually.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that all films, including those posted on social media must be licenced by Finas.
Saifuddin said the requirement for film production licence and the film authentication certificate (SPP) applied to all film producers, either from mainstream media agencies or personal media.
He, however, clarified today that the cabinet has agreed that the Finas Act 1981 will not be used to restrict the personal freedom of individuals on social media.
The government would also continue to support the freedom of expression and individual’s freedom on social media, he said.
“Users of social media apps, such as TikTok, YouTube and others, are free to upload videos on social media without needing to apply for Finas license or be worried over being prosecuted.
“The government will also amend the Finas Act to update it with current needs,” he said in a statement today.
The issue on the SPP came about after Al Jazeera aired, Locked up in Malaysia’s Lockdown, a 25-minute documentary highlighting the treatment of undocumented migrants during the movement control order (MCO).
Finas then issued a statement that Al Jazeera did not have the film production licence or the SPP required to produce the documentary.
Al Jazeera is being investigated under Section 22(1) of the Finas Act 1981 (Amendment 2013) for filming without a valid licence. – July 24, 2020.
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Comments
Illegitimate governments that do not have the people's mandate to rule are intolerant of fair and honest reporting. In fact, just basic honesty is a concept they find frightening.
Posted 3 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply