KFCB's Licensing Mandate - Empowering Content Creators or Restricting Expression?

I remember a time when home movies were as simple as borrowing Dad’s old camcorder. We would all gather around in the neighborhood with other kids, devising plots for our “epic films” ranging from superheroes to fake news. But who needed permissions or licenses? You just pressed record and let your imagination run wild. These were days of unbridled creativity that contrasted sharply with the stringent rules faced by today’s content creators in our country.

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has mandated that all filmmakers should adhere to specified guidelines and get necessary permits before airing their work, aimed at ensuring all aired contents comply with national moral and cultural standards. Though some may perceive this as excessive bureaucratic red tape, there are good reasons for supporting this regulatory regime.

Firstly, KFCB plays a big role in preserving the morality of society. Uncontrolled content may easily venture into audience-inappropriate areas, particularly when it comes to children. By having these regulations in place KFCB ensures that not only age but also culture is considered while creating content. For instance, societal norms can be protected by preventing the dissemination of explicit materials or harmful stereotypes.

Not only is the licensing requirement a mere obstacle but it is also an instrument for controlling quality. Making sure that authors meet certain standards in advance of their publication can help to improve the quality of media as a whole. In addition, it makes them put extra effort into professionalism, better production values, and getting along with storytelling norms that are appealing to audiences.

Nevertheless, critics might argue that these rules kill creativity and impose financial burdens on up-and-coming filmmakers. However, looking at things in a balanced manner shows how this approach by KFCB could spur growth through innovation.

Think about the achievements of movie makers who have used this guideline to refine their filmmaking skills despite initial limitations and have come out successful. By thinking outside the box under KFCB’s framework, content developers can find innovative ways of meeting existing requirements as well as retaining originality and standing out from other works.

Accepting KFCB’s ‘tough’ guidelines is not an obstacle, but a challenge to improve our creativity. Just as the movies of our childhood have evolved from amateur clips to polished narratives, our national broadcasts can also thrive on KFCB’s show of hands.