Film Board releases guidelines banning offensive adverts

Kenya Film Classification Board is now threatening to bring down billboards deemed to contain unsuitable pictures or messages in the next two weeks.

In new advertising guidelines unveiled Tuesday, KFCB will control advertising content in a bid to “preserve national values and morals” saying that commercials pose a strong influence on the public, and particularly children.

To that effect, the board has now banned advertisements and commercials that feature sexual innuendos and sexually suggestive scenes, alcoholic drinks, betting and gambling from running during the watershed period between 5:00AM and 10PM.

Board CEO Ezekiel Mutua says KFCB will also ban Advertisements and billboards that feature semi-nude or nude men and women as the board believes such commercials undermine the importance of the family unit.

“The guidelines take into account the fact that children’s ability to distinguish between fact and fantasy will vary according to their age, and that children in general tent to be imitative by nature,” says Mutua.

Under the new guidelines, commercials advertising products meant for adults such as condoms, alcohol and betting shall run only after 10PM and shall not contain lewd images or language that may negatively influence children.

According to Mutua, the same directive will, however, not be applicable to advertisements that relate to government lotteries or contests.

Advertisements that glamorize lifestyles and behaviours such as homosexuality, promiscuity and juvenile delinquency have also been banned. Previously, the board had asked YouTube to pull down music video about same sex relationships

Political advertisements that will be using derogative language, incite people, promote stereotyping or contain propaganda for war or violence has also been banned.