Arts groups will soon have the power to classify performances they stage on their own under a new licence scheme.

The Term Licence Scheme for arts entertainment, announced by Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim during the debate for the ministry's budget, covers arts performances such as plays, musicals, dance and literary recitals.

All arts groups will be invited to self-classify performances that are suitable for a general audience, including children. Groups with a good track record will also be allowed to self-classify performances up to the R18 rating, the highest rating for arts events.

The move is part of the Government's continuing push to partner the arts community to regulate the scene and it aims to simplify the licensing process for arts groups.

In the same vein, a new video co-regulatory scheme will be introduced to allow video distributors to self-classify videos up to the PG13 rating. This will make new video titles available faster to consumers.