Filmmakers see a ‘super censor’ in Cinematograph Amendment Bill
The Hindu
The new provision is now being seen as the coming into force of a ‘super censor’, adding one more layer of censorship
The draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021 out out by the Union Government on Friday, seeking public comments, has kicked up a storm with filmmakers criticising a provision which allows the Government to order re-certification for a film already certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The new provision is now being seen as the coming into force of a ‘super censor’, adding one more layer of censorship to the already existing process. Coming two months after the Government decided to dissolve the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), a body which used to hear appeals of filmmakers aggrieved by CBFC orders, the move could be a further curb on freedom of expression, opine filmmakers. Speaking to The Hindu, filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan questioned why an all powerful Government should be scared of filmmakers. “The dissolving of the appellate tribunal itself was an undemocratic decision, taken without any consultation. Even at present, the filmmakers have not much say in the certification process, with the censor officers implementing the will of the Government. The Supreme Court had earlier said that the Government has no right to demand re-censorship of a film which has already been censored. Why are they so insecure and scared as to bring back something the Court has said no to? We are not an autocracy. Every citizen has a right to criticise the policies of the Government in power,” said Mr. Gopalakrishnan.More Related News
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