South Africa’s Film and Publication Board (FPB) has fined 21 commercial content providers a combined US$994,000 for breaches of the Films and Publications Act, including the unlawful distribution of explicit and harmful content online.
The penalties follow physical and online compliance inspections by FPB officers. The affected providers, 16 of which are based in South Africa and the remainder abroad, were found to have breached requirements covering registration, classification, licensing and the protection of minors.
Fines range from US$9,200 for distributing films or games without being registered as a distributor to US$46,000 for distributing unclassified adult content or operating adult premises without the required licence. Some providers were also penalised for failing to clearly display age restrictions and consumer advisories on online content.
Acting FPB CEO Advocate Makhosazana Lindhorst said the enforcement action reflects the regulator’s commitment to transparency and compliance across both physical and digital distribution channels.
The enforcement committee, established in 2022 and chaired by retired High Court Judge Justice Thokozile Masipa, can investigate alleged breaches and impose penalties, including fines or suspension of distributor registrations.
The FPB said the action is part of implementing the Films and Publications Amendment Act of 2019, which expanded the regulatory framework to address online content and strengthen protections for children from harmful material.
Under the Act, distributors of X18-rated content must register with the FPB and obtain an exemption, while measures must be in place to prevent people under 18 from accessing such material. Knowingly making X18 content available to minors can result in a fine of up to US$46,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
