Tedd Josiah After KFCB’s Announcement: It’s Time Young People Said Enough Is Enough

With a decorated portfolio that spreads over 30 years, producer Tedd Josiah has seen a lot in the Kenyan entertainment business. But even with three decades under his belt, he’s never seen something like this.

 “It’s time young people said enough is enough,” said the veteran film maker after Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) announced that it will now require online users to acquire licences before they can post any video online.

Filmmakers, whether local or international, will now pay KSh 12,000 for registration and licenses, KSh 5000 for weekly upload, KSh 1000 for the days you film and must share the videos with KFCB first for approval.

A fine of KSh 100,000 will be imposed if found Vlogging without a license. Josiah believes that this is just another way of saying young Kenyans should ditch social media.

“I’ve worked over 27 years in the music and film industry of Kenya. No day has the government ever come to help not even by zero rating production gear. But now they want to try through Kenya Film Classification Board to stop young people from using YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any other social media or broadcast platform from creating content,” said Josiah.

The law, which has caused a public outcry, is meant “to bring sanity to the film industry” according to Mutua but many industry experts –including Josiah — believe that it’s just another poisonous concoction that will eradicate creatives in Kenya faster than the tough challenges they normally face in their day-to-day operations.

“Too many creatives end up leaving Kenya and working elsewhere because we as a nation do not support the industry,” said Josiah.

“The Government Of Kenya needs to come out clear on this! Very very clear.Too many young people are using social media to at least try and make a living and they are doing it responsibly.”