To provide guidelines that allow for the classification of a film, game or publication in accordance with, amongst others, the following rights:

To recognise that no right is absolute, and that it may be limited in terms of the law of general application when it is reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom, taking relevant factors, including the nature of the right, the importance of the purpose of the limitation, the nature and extent of the limitation, the relation between the limitation and its purpose, and any other less restrictive means to achieve the purpose, into account.

Classifiers therefore must proceed from the least restrictive to more restrictive classifications in an endeavour to balance the various rights and freedoms in contention.

To provide general guidelines to ensure:

To protect children from exposure to potentially disturbing or harmful contents and from premature exposure to adult experiences, as well as to provide such information as will allow adult South Africans to make informed viewing, gaming and reading choices, both for themselves and for children in their care.

In making their decisions, classification committees, consistent with the principle that in all matters concerning children, the best interests of children are paramount, must aim to strike a reasonable balance between competing interests and the protection of children from potentially disturbing, harmful and age-inappropriate content.

The guidelines provided for the consideration of artistic, dramatic or scientific merit are but one of the considerations in making a classification decision. Accordingly, it should not be elevated above other factors to be considered in making a classification decision.

When interpreting and applying these guidelines, cognisance shall be taken of the country’s diversity, and effect shall be given thereto.

When applying and interpreting these guidelines, classifiers must also take cognisance that classification guidelines cannot be comprehensive in identifying all potential disturbing and harmful content. In addition, there may be content or content that may not be disturbing or harmful, but that may be age inappropriate and unacceptable to the community in general.