New Zealand: Adopted Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Amendment Act 2005

On 21 February 2005, the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Amendment Act 2005 received Royal Assent. This amendment aimed to address the challenge of objectionable material on the internet by enhancing penalties. It clarified the circumstances under which a publication is deemed questionable and should not be publicly exhibited. The amendment increased the maximum prison sentences tenfold for individuals involved in producing, trading, or distributing objectionable content. This was intended to reduce harmful content on the internet, including child pornography, snuff movies, or abusive sexual violence. Maximum penalties for possessing or trading objectionable material would apply in cases of large scale, prolonged, or systematic offending, considering the nature of the material. Additionally, the Bill introduced a new power to obtain search warrants for suspected offences of knowingly possessing objectionable material. Previously, search warrants were only available for trading or possessing material for supply purposes. The Bill expanded the offence of distributing an objectionable publication to cover various ways offenders arrange to share, exchange, and access material on the internet, including peer sharing and commercial transactions.