Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), in the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs, Maureen Mbaka has lauded the Kenya Film Classification Board’s (KFCB), Post COVID-19 Business Continuity Strategy for the film and broadcast sector, terming it timely.
Speaking at the beginning of a two-day retreat organized by the Board at the Hilton Gardens hotel, to analyse and review the effects of COVID-19 on the film sector and creative economy and strategize on the post COVID-19 Business recovery for the sector, Mbaka said the Government is committed to cushion the creative sector that has been adversely hit by the pandemic.
While noting that content regulation is key for national development, the CAS lauded KFCB for aligning itself to the new and creative ways of regulation and devising ways to cushion the creative sector.
The CAS further lauded the Board for efficient use of videoconferencing and technology, which she noted will be new norm post Covid-19.
“The move by KFCB to adopt online film and classification licensing and videoconferencing is commendable,” she said.
On his part, KFCB chairperson, Bishop Jackson Kosgei, said the Post Covid-19 Business Continuity Strategy charts the way forward for the creative economy.
He noted that regulation of film and broadcast content is not meant to deny creatives their freedom but to rally them to create inspiring content.
“Kenya has great cultures and norms that can needs to be protected through content regulation,” Bishop Kosgei said.
Speaking at the retreat, KFCB CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua, said the Post Covid-19 Business Continuity Strategy aims to cushion players in creative industry against the harsh effects of the pandemic.
Dr Mutua observed that Cinema operators in Kenya have lost close to half a billion shillings since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
He noted that KFCB in partnership with relevant stakeholders has developed protocols for re-opening of cinema theatres.
“We have recommended the drive-in-cinemas as part of the intervention to cushion the film sector against Covid-19,” the KFCB CEO noted.
He further observed that KFCB has forged partnerships and MoUs with the Nollywood, South Africa’s Film and Publication Board (FPB) and Hollywood Film Festival among others in efforts to create synergies in content regulation.
KFCB’s Board of directors and senior management are taking part in the two-day retreat.
