Film and Publication Board CEO appointed as a vice chairperson of the Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GORSN)
At its first in-person meeting hosted by the UK’s Communications Regulator, Office of Communications (OFCOM) in London on 12 September 2023, the Global Online Safety Network appointed, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Film and Publication Board (FPB), Dr Mashilo Boloka, as its Vice Chairperson for a 1-year term until the year 2024. Dr Boloka will be deputing OFCOM’s Gill Whitehead who will be the Chairperson for the period. In welcoming the new leadership, the outgoing Chairperson and eSafety Commissioner’s Julie Inman-Grant, said, “We are pleased to hand over the reins to OFCOM under the capable stewardship of Gill Whitehead. The 2024 Vice Chair will be the incredibly energetic Mashilo Boloka, CEO of the South African Film and Publication Board. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in working together to work towards creating a safer, more positive online world”.
The appointment of Dr Boloka follows the acceptance of the FPB as a member of the Network earlier in July 2023. Representing online regulators from various parts of the world including Fiji (Fiji Online Safety commissioner), Ireland (Coimisiun na Mean), UK (OFCOM), Australia (eSafety Commissioner), South Korea (KCSC), South Africa (FPB) and observers. The Network was established in November 2022 to promote online safety and share information and good practice around online regulation. At the London meeting, the Network discussed the need to promote regulatory coherence and underscored the importance of collaboration on shared issues, including industry engagement and new and emerging technology. As a start, the Network agreed on creation of a technology and public education working group. In his response, Dr Boloka said, “The Network represents a collaborative initiative to fight the borderless online harms, pursue harmonisation to avoid fragmentation of online safety legislation and coordinated online safety measures and promote online safety across the continents.
“As the Film and Publication Board of South Africa, we are excited to be a member of this Network. As the only representative on the African continent, we will ensure that voice of other regulators on the continent and the other developing worlds is heard. We will persuade other regulators on the continent to join the Network so that they can seize the opportunities it provides, information sharing on experiences and best practices so that we can together promote a safer online environment and fight online harms wherever it exists.”
Media enquiries:
Manala Botolo
Email: manala.botolo@fpb.org.za
Cell: 082 860 6748
