We provide the following major services:
| Service | 2022 Performance Standards |
2023 Targets |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Targets | Achievement | ||
| Film Classification | |||
| While the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration strives to achieve the performance targets as set out below, time for processing applications for censorship may vary depending on the number of applications received and the complexity of each application. The Film Censorship Regulations (Cap. 392A) (the Regulations) provides the statutory time frames for the making of film classification decisions and issuing of different types of certificates. In case the time available for film censorship falls short of the statutory time frames, the processing of the application will unlikely be completed by the intended exhibition date indicated by the applicant. Please make reference to the corresponding footnotes for the relevant information. | |||
| Assignment of film viewing session after a film is submitted for classification | 7 working days | 98.5% | 7 working days |
| Notification to applicants on film classification decisions (Note A) | 8 working days | 100% | 8 working days |
| Issue of certificates of exemption (Note B) | 3 working days | 100% | 3 working days |
| Issue of certificates for packaging (Note C) | 2 working days | 100% | 2 working days |
| Issue of certificates for advertising materials (Note D) | 2 working days | 100% | 2 working days |
| Newspaper Registration | |||
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| Approval of registration (Note E) | 7 working days | 100% | 7 working days |
| Formal registration | 35 minutes | 100% | 35 minutes |
| Change in registered particulars (Note E) | 4 working days | 100% | 4 working days |
| Searching and providing the register for inspection | 10 minutes | 100% | 10 minutes |
| Issue of certified true copies of extracts from the register for Newspapers | 30 minutes | 100% | 30 minutes |
| Issue of certified true copies of extracts from the register for News Agencies | 30 minutes | 100% | 30 minutes |
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| Processing of applications for new licences (Note E) | 7 working days | 100% | 7 working days |
| Processing of licence renewals (Note E) | 4 working days | 100% | 4 working days |
| Complaints against Obscene and Indecent Articles | |||
| Issue of an interim reply | 7 working days | 100% | 7 working days |
| Issue of a substantive reply (Note F) | 20 working days | 100% | 20 working days |
Note A According to the Film Censorship Regulations (Cap. 392A), the making, by the censor, of a decision of the film should not be later than 14 days after a film is submitted to and accepted by the Film Censorship Authority or such a longer period as the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development may allow in any particular case.
Note B According to the Film Censorship Regulations (Cap. 392A), the issue, by the Film Censorship Authority (the Authority), of a certificate of exemption should not be later than 5 working days after a film is submitted to and accepted by the Authority.
Note C According to the Film Censorship Regulations (Cap. 392A), the issue, by the Film Censorship Authority (the Authority), of a certificate for packaging should not be later than 4 working days after the submission to the Authority of such packaging.
Note D According to the Film Censorship Regulations (Cap. 392A), the approval or refusal of approval, by the Film Censorship Authority (the Authority), of any advertising material relating to a film should not be later than 4 working days after the submission to the Authority of such advertising material.
Note E Upon applicant's submission of all necessary documents and information.
Note F Upon receipt of sufficient information from complainant.
Customer feedback on the standard of our services provides important input to our service improvement process. We welcome comments and suggestions on all of our services and the way in which they are delivered. You may telephone, fax, email or write to us at the following address: