SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.
Media Law Journal – 11 September 2015: Article by Steve Price – Specialist in Media Law
A fascinating read …..Steven writes that although his article was written 10 years ago he is “inclined to think it’s relevant to the current debate about [the classification of] Into the River.”
New Zealand’s censorship review board has slapped an interim ban on a book for the first time since the current law was passed 22 years ago, potentially igniting a new wave of restrictions on sexually explicit books.
The president of the Film and Literature Board of Review, Dr Don Mathieson, QC, has issued the Interim Restriction Order banning the sale or distribution of Auckland author Ted Dawe’s award-winning novel for teenagers Into the River until the full board can consider whether the book should be restricted.
Family First director Bob McCoskrie, who requested the review, said the interim order – the first affecting a book under the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993 – showed people could still use the censorship system.
“Hopefully we have set a precedent and people start bringing other books to the fore that they are concerned about.”
See full story published 7/09/15:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/books/news/article.cfm?c_id=134&objectid=11508895
Also see earlier story:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11499271
Internal Affairs Minister Nathan announced on 29 June three new appointments to the Film and Literature Board of Review. Dr Don Mathieson has been appointed as President of the Board with Andrew Caisley as Deputy President. Dr Laurence Simmons also joins the Board.
Wellington lawyer Dr Mathieson is well qualified for this role. He is Queen’s Counsel and a former lecturer who currently works as a part-time Special Counsel to the Parliamentary Counsel Office.
“Mr Caisley is a founding partner of law firm Kiely Thomson Caisley. He has longstanding experience in theatre and arts organisations having served on the Council of Creative New Zealand, the Silo Theatre Board and as the founding Chair of New Theatre Initiative.
“Dr Simmons is Deputy Head of the Film, Television and Media department at the University of Auckland. He is fluent in Italian and is the author of many books, articles and other publications. Dr Simmons was awarded a Senior Fulbright Fellowship in 2002.
“All new members have been appointed for terms of three years.”
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new+appointments+film+and+literature+board+review
Media Report 7 June
The Society’s investigations have determined that over a two year period before a 49-year old prominent Wellington town planner, appeared on 22 March 2007 before Wellington District Court Judge Stephen Harrop to face charges over the importation of 11 “objectionable” publications; he had embarked on a hugely expensive exercise, aided by his lawyer, Mr Greg King, to use the Film and Literature Board of Review and the Chief Censor’s Office to help him overturn the charges. Robert John Schofield attempted unsuccessfully to have the classification of the publications downgraded from “objectionable” to “age restricted” (R18) so he could avoid conviction. The Society has applied under the Official Information Act to the Board Secretary and the Chief Censor’s Office to obtain copies of all the classification decisions issued with respect to these publications.