The Council of Ministers has approved a package of documents for amendments to certain Belarusian laws concerning the protection of children from information that may harm their health and development. The relevant decision is contained in the government decree of October 25, 2016 No. 871, according to BELTA.
The Council of Ministers has approved a package of documents for amendments to certain Belarusian laws concerning the protection of children from information that may harm their health and development. The relevant decision is contained in the government decree of October 25, 2016 No. 871, according to BELTA.
Among other things, it concerns a provision establishing the procedure for marking information products (except for films intended for screening in Belarus), which also outlines some specifics of their distribution. In this case, it refers to age categories "0+" (meaning unrestricted, or universal), "6+" (for persons aged six and over), as well as categories "12+", "16+", and "18+". The "18+" category, in other words, means that such products are prohibited for children.
Specifically, the assignment of an age category mark applies to printed, television, and radio mass media, printed publications, information resources (their constituent parts) posted on the internet, as well as computer games, audiovisual works, sound recordings, etc.
In addition, for the distribution in Belarus of information products produced abroad (if they have not been previously marked), the distributor has the right to do so independently in accordance with the established criteria. In particular, by placing a sticker with the marking sign directly on the information product, or on a label attached to it, or on the consumer packaging, or on posters and other announcements about a cultural event. This same rule applies to the marking of entrance tickets, invitations, or other documents that grant the right to attend cultural events.
As for the marking of radio broadcasts, in this case, it refers to an audio warning indicating the age category of children among whom distribution is permitted. In turn, the owner of an information resource (its constituent part) on the internet has the right to place the age category mark on the main page of this resource in a conspicuous place.
Another developed provision establishes the criteria for determining the age category of children, among whom the distribution of certain information products is permitted. For example, the criteria for determining the age category include the theme, genre, content, and artistic design of the information product. The peculiarities of perception of the information contained by children of a certain age and the possibility of negative impact of information on them, as well as a number of other factors, will be taken into account.
In addition, the package of documents includes the Regulation on the Public Advisory Council for the Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development. Previously, the Minister of Education Mikhail Zhuravkov spoke about this council, which is being established under the Belarusian government. The Council is a public advisory and coordinating body in the aforementioned area, and it will develop recommendations and proposals for the formation and implementation of relevant state policy.
The Public Advisory Council is formed from representatives of republican government bodies, public associations, and other organizations. It will be headed by the Minister of Information of Belarus, Lilia Ananich. The Chairperson of the Council, their deputies, and other participants will work on a voluntary basis. At the same time, specialists, scientists, and experts from other organizations may be involved in the work as needed (with their consent), also on a gratuitous basis.
The resolution comes into force on July 1, 2017.