the Internet Code of Practice in Bruneian Law

Not many people know actually there is law governing the publication of materials on the internet in Brunei. This is under the Broadcasting Act, Chapter 180:

BROADCASTING ACT
(CHAPTER 180)

INTERNET CODE OF PRACTICE NOTIFICATION

In exercise of the power conferred by section 9 of the Broadcasting Act, the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters, with the approval of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan, has issued the following Code of Practice which shall come into force on 12 February 2001:

INTERNET CODE OF PRACTICE

1. (a) The Broadcasting Act imposes on the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters a duty to ensure that nothing is included in any broadcasting service which is against the public interest or national harmony or which offends against good taste or decency. This Code of Practice has been produced for the purpose of carrying out such duty.

(b) All Internet Service Providers and Internet Content Providers licensed under the Broadcasting (Class License) Notification 2001 are required to comply with this Code of Practice and to satisfy the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters that they have taken responsible steps to fulfill this requirement. Under the Broadcasting Act the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters has the power to impose sanctions, including fines, on licensees who contravene this Code of Practice.

2. Licensees must use their best efforts to ensure that nothing is included in any programme on Internet which is against the public interest or national harmony or which offends against good taste or decency, and in particular the following Internet content should not be allowed:

(a) Public security and national defence

(i) Contents which bring into hatred or contempt or incite disaffection against His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan or the Government; or

(ii) Contents which incite the inhabitants of Brunei Darussalam to attempt to procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of any other matter in Brunei Darussalam as by law established; or

(iii) Contents which bring into hatred or contempt or incite disaffection against the administration of justice in Brunei Darussalam; or

(iv) Contents which raise discontent or disaffection amongst the inhabitants of Brunei Darussalam; or

(v) Contents which promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of the population of Brunei Darussalam.

(b) Racial and Religious Harmony

(i) Contents which denigrate or ridicule any race or the religion of Islam; or

(ii) Contents which bring any race or the religion of Islam into hatred, resentment or ridicule; or

(iii) Contents which are against and outside the practices of Islam according to the Shafeite sect; or

(iv) Contents which are intended for preaching other religions other than the religion of Islam.

(c) Public and Social Morals

(i) Contents which are pornographic or otherwise obscene; or

(ii) Contents which propagate permissive or promiscuous behavior; or

(iii) Contents which depict or propagate gross exploitation of violence, nudity, sex or horror; or

(iv) Contents which depict or propagate sexual perversions such as homosexuality, lesbianism and paedophilia.

Made this 18 day of Zulkaedah 1421 Hijriah corresponding to the 12 day of February 2001.

PEHIN ORANG KAYA LAILA SETIA BAKTI DIRAJA DATO LAILA UTAMA HAJI AWANG ISA BIN PEHIN DATU PERDANA MANTERI DATO LAILA UTAMA HAJI IBRAHIM
Minister responsible for broadcasting matters
Prime Minister's Office, Brunei Darussalam