The Film and Publications Board (FPB) has issued a takedown notice to Facebook after an Islamophobic post deemed to incite harm was reported
Image: DAVID GRAY / AFP
The Film and Publications Board (FPB) has issued a takedown notice to Facebook after an Islamophobic post deemed to incite harm was reported by MP Imraan Subrathie.
Subrathie confirmed on Saturday that the post was removed within six hours of his escalation to the authorities, describing the content as “extremely vile, inciteful and Islamophobic”.
The FPB, in a public notice, said it had “noted with concern” a Facebook publication that “advocates hatred against the Islam religion” and constitutes incitement to cause harm. The post reportedly depicted the Prophet Muhammad in a derogatory manner.
According to the FPB, both the publication and any further sharing of the content contravene Section 18H of the Films and Publications Act, which prohibits the distribution of material that amounts to advocacy of hatred based on identifiable group characteristics and incites harm.
“The content of the post and the sharing thereof by any member of the public is in contravention of Section 18H,” the board said.
The regulator further warned that under Section 24G of the Act, those found guilty of distributing such content could face a fine of up to R150,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
Subrathie said he had come under pressure to publicly share the post and identify its author but declined to do so.
“Sharing the vile post would have been further dishonouring the Prophet of Islam,” he said, adding that revealing the author could “fuel anger and deepen religious intolerance in our communities”.
“My task as an elected public official is to always promote a peaceful, inclusive and cohesive society,” he said.
The FPB confirmed it had engaged Facebook’s parent company, Meta, to ensure the removal of the content and would continue monitoring digital platforms to prevent further dissemination.
It also urged the public not to share or repost the material, warning that doing so would amount to distributing prohibited content under the law.
Subrathie thanked the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, the FPB leadership, and the .za Domain Name Authority for their “expeditious” response over the long weekend.
He said the swift action sent a clear message that “social media is not a free-for-all space to spew incitement”.
The FPB has encouraged members of the public to report harmful online content through its toll-free line, WhatsApp channel, or official website.
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