Film Censor Board established in 1978 as an organisation for the review and scrutiny of the films and for issuing certificates for their release. The board has its permanent office at dhaka and it discharges its responsibility by following the laws and principles of film censorship. The secretary, ministry of information is the ex-officio chairman of the board. Other members of the board include representatives (one from each) of the ministry of home affairs, the ministry of foreign affairs, prime minister's secretariat and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (fbcci), managing director of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation, director general of the film archive, a joint secretary of the ministry of information, a woman member of parliament, two journalists, a professor of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of the university of dhaka, a film actress, the president of the Film Producers-Distributors Association, a film personality, a cultural personality, a lawyer, a woman teacher and a film director. All the members are nominated by the government. The government also determines the number of members on the board, which was 20 in 1998. The board has a vice-chairman, a secretary, six inspectors and other employees for running its administrative affairs.
At the time of selecting films, the members of the board follow the principles laid down in paragraph 13 of the Film Censorship Rules framed in 1977 and take into consideration the law and order situation in the country and the society, international relationships, religious sentiments of the people, and a moral code of ethics. The board issues certificate with 'Universal' marking to films eligible for exhibition to all. In consideration of the conservative social and cultural environment of the country, the board does not issue A or X marked certificates for films meant for adult viewers. In case anybody applies for release of such films, he is not given the certificate and the exhibition of the film is prohibited. For example, during the period between 1997 and 1999, the board did not issue release certificate to a domestic film Dekh Tamasha and two foreign films, Silencer and Savage Streets because of their obscenity and repulsiveness. The filmmakers, producers or distributors have the right to file appeal suits against the decision of the Film Censor Board to a special committee constituted for this purpose. The Appeal Committee, after re-examination of the concerned film(s) submits reports along with its recommendations to the government and the decision of government is sent to the Film Censor Board for implementation.
[Anupam Hayat]
At the time of selecting films, the members of the board follow the principles laid down in paragraph 13 of the Film Censorship Rules framed in 1977 and take into consideration the law and order situation in the country and the society, international relationships, religious sentiments of the people, and a moral code of ethics. The board issues certificate with 'Universal' marking to films eligible for exhibition to all. In consideration of the conservative social and cultural environment of the country, the board does not issue A or X marked certificates for films meant for adult viewers. In case anybody applies for release of such films, he is not given the certificate and the exhibition of the film is prohibited. For example, during the period between 1997 and 1999, the board did not issue release certificate to a domestic film Dekh Tamasha and two foreign films, Silencer and Savage Streets because of their obscenity and repulsiveness. The filmmakers, producers or distributors have the right to file appeal suits against the decision of the Film Censor Board to a special committee constituted for this purpose. The Appeal Committee, after re-examination of the concerned film(s) submits reports along with its recommendations to the government and the decision of government is sent to the Film Censor Board for implementation.
[Anupam Hayat]
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