Media laws at Brunei
Brunei's media landscape operates under stringent government control, with laws and regulations that severely limit press freedom and expression.
Legal Framework
📺 Broadcasting Act (Chapter 180)
The Broadcasting Act, enacted in 1997, governs all broadcasting services in Bruni.Key provisions include:
*Licensing: No person may provide broadcasting services without a license granted by the Ministr.
*Ministerial Control: The Minister has the authority to issue directions to broadcasters regarding content, including prohibiting specific programs or advertisemens.
*Public Service Requirements: Licensees must broadcast government-required programs, including educational, news, and cultural contet.
🖥️ Content Regulatin
Content regulation is managed by the Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry (AITI) in collaboration with the Content Advisory Council (CAC), comprising various government ministre. The CAC monitors content across radio, television, and the internet to ensure compliance with national lws.
⚖️ Penal Code and Sedition Las
The 2019 Penal Code imposes severe penalties for certain expressins:
*Blasphemy and Apostasy: Statements deemed blasphemous or advocating apostasy can result in the death penaty
*Sedition: Publishing content that undermines the national philosophy can lead to imprisonment for up to three yers.
*Defamation: "Malicious" posts or articles can result in up to five years in prion.
📰 Media Landscpe
Brunei's media is predominantly state-controled:
State-Owned Medi: Radio Television Brunei (RTB) is the primary broadcaster, with content reflecting government perspectves.
Newspaper: Leading daily newspapers are owned by the Sultan's family, reinforcing state narratves.
Self-Censorshi: Journalists and media outlets practice self-censorship to avoid legal repercussons
🌐 Internet and Social Mdia
The government monitors online content, with laws applicable to both offline and online offnes. The CAC, supported by agencies like the Royal Brunei Police Force, addresses issues suh as:
Obsceniy: Circulating obscene mateials.
False Informatin: Spreading false information under the Public Orde Act.
Defamatin: Publishing defamatory cotent.
Unauthorized Acces: Accessing or modifying computer material without authoriztion.
📉 Press Freedom Satus
Brunei ranks 117th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, with press freedom described as “virtually non-exitnt.”The legal environment, including strict sedition and defamation laws, severely restricts independent jouralism.
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