A GROUP of social filmmakers and human rights activists from the Freedom Film Network (FFN) want the Pakatan Harapan government to create an enabling environment where independent filmmaking can flourish in Malaysia.

“We urge the government to assure the Malaysian public that films dealing with human rights issues or matters of public interest will be free from politically motivated censorship. 

“Instead of censoring content, the government should support and give recognition to non-commercial films and filmmakers, which highlight these important topics,” the group said in a statement today.

Since 2003, FFN has organised the annual Freedom Film Fest to promote human rights through social films around the country. The network was created by human rights non-profit Pusat Komas.

In particular, the network called on Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo to review or repeal the Film Censorship Act 2002, drop political charges against filmmakers and de-politicise film regulators.

“(The Film Censorship Act) has been a major legal hindrance in our work to promote human rights education through film,” said the group, citing the persecution of former Pusat Komas staff member Lena Hendry. 

Hendry, a British Chevening scholar and human rights activist, was charged under the Film Censorship Act in 2013 and fined RM10,000 in 2017 for showing a documentary on the civil war in Sri Lanka. 

“FFN, therefore, calls on the relevant authorities to expunge Lena Hendry’s criminal record as her charges were clearly politically motivated in nature.

“Likewise any other politically motivated charges against filmmakers, artists or media personnel should be immediately dropped,” said the network.

It said regulators like the Film Censorship Board and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) should be made independent and transparent in all their dealings.

“FFN strongly believe that filmmaking should not be looked upon as an industry solely for its entertainment or commercial value. 

“Social filmmaking should be celebrated for its crucial role in nation building and for asking critical questions and providing alternative perspectives to Malaysians,” the group added. – June 1, 2018