Consumer Council receives complaints of R13 movie tickets being sold to underage customers at cinema

The Consumer Council has received several complaints in relation to a prominent cinema operator selling tickets for a R13 rated movie to children under the age of 13.

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

The Council has sought clarification from the Fiji Censor Board on this issue and has been advised that under section 13 of the ‘Cinematographic Films Act’ cinema operators are restricted from exhibiting R13 movies to children under the age of 13.

Shandil says these ratings exist for a reason and are given based on the content of movies. She says such dishonest practice of selling R13 movie tickets to children under the age of 13 at adult prices comprises an offence under section 20 of the Act.

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

She has also called on parents to play their role by ensuring they do not allow their children to watch R rated movies in cinemas.