Finland

[FI] Only Films for Minors to Be Censored as of 1 January 2001

IRIS 2000-8:1/19

Marina Österlund-Karinkanta

Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, EU and Media Unit

On 25 August 2000, the Act on Classification of Audiovisual Programmes, the Act on the Finnish Board of Film Classification, the Act on the amendment of the Penal Code (§ 19) and the Act on the amendment of the Act on Television- and Radio Operations (Laki kuvaohjelmien tarkastamisesta, laki Valtion elokuvatarkastamosta, laki rikoslain 17 luvun muuttamisesta ja laki televisio- ja radiotoiminnasta annetun lain 19 pykälän muuttamisesta) were confirmed and will enter into force on 1 January 2001. The acts replace the Act of Film Classification (299/1965), the Act Relating to the Inspection of Video and other Audiovisual Programmes (697/1987) and the Act on the Execution of Film Classification (300/1965).

As of 1 January 2001, censorship of audiovisual programmes for adults is abolished and preventive audiovisual programme classification concerns only programmes for persons under the age of 18. Under the new law, a programme should not be accepted for viewing for persons under 18 if it is likely to disturb the psychological development of a child due to the programme's violent, sexual or shocking content. The new age categories are: suitable for all, restricted from persons under 7, 11 or 15. Without classification the rating will be 18. Programmes exempted from examination are: advertisements, music, sport, small children's (under-7) programmes including cartoons for them, showings in the film archive, in schools, universities, libraries etc. Also, video and computer games are exempted as before. However, these programmes must be reported to the Finnish Board of Film Classification and marked with age recommendations.

Films shown on television are also exempted from the examination set out by this law. Rulings concerning television broadcasts are found in the Act on Television and Radio Operations (744/1998), which states that a television broadcaster shall ensure that programmes which are likely to cause detriment to the development of children due to their sexual content or violent nature are transmitted at times when children do not usually watch television. This list now also includes programmes that are likely to be shocking. The TV companies have agreed on a joint national framework for self-regulation where programmes are divided into suitable or unsuitable for children under 16. Programmes that are unsuitable for children must be broadcast after 9 p.m. and be marked with the symbol F in the television schedules in newspapers and on teletext. The television announcer must also mentions if a programme is not suitable for children.

When Parliament approved the acts it also issued the following statement: Parliament urges the government to intensify measures at EU level to prevent Internet distribution of material that is harmful to minors.