Seema Shandil

The Consumer Council has received several complaints against a cinema operator selling tickets for a R13 movie to underage children.

Council Chief Executive Seema Shandil says these tickets were also sold at adult prices and the Council views these acts by cinema operators as deeply unethical.

Shandil says the council sought clarification from the Fiji Censor Board on the issue and was advised that under section 13 of the ‘Cinematographic Films Act’ cinema operators are restricted from exhibiting R 13 movies to children under the age of 13.

She says any cinema operator that does not take appropriate steps to verify age restrictions for its young (and vulnerable) consumers, engages in unconscionable conduct, which is a breach of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Act 2010.

The chief executive says cinema operators should take all appropriate steps to verify the age of its consumers, for movies with age restrictions for viewing.

The Council is calling on all cinema operators to follow the “ratings and procedures given by the Fiji Censor Board as movies are rated by them.

Further, Shandil says no child should be permitted to purchase tickets or view R-rated movies.