Slovakia

[SK] New film legislation

IRIS 1996-7:1/13

Andrea Schneider

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

On 14.12.1995 the People's Council of the Slovak Republic adopted legislation on the film industry. The new act covers the production and commercialization of cinema and video films, but not productions purely for television. As well as giving a range of definitions, the act contains certain obligations incumbent on producers of audiovisual works in the Slovak Republic and commercialization companies (registration duty, obligation to comply with provisions for the protection of children and young people), prohibits the commercialisation of violent and pornographic films, and contains provisions concerning quotas and language. There are further provisions on screen advertising, which must comply with specific standards, and in particular must be recognisable as publicity material. There is a blanket ban on advertising concerning children, medicines and alcohol.