ASTRO CODE OF CONTENT FOR KIDS’ CONTENT

(“CODE”)

Version Release Date Summary

Version 1.0 02.10.2020 -

Purpose of this Code

1. This Code is applicable to Astro's staff, production team and business partners, including
but not limited to producers, photoshoot studios, agencies, marketing team, and clients
who are involved in all forms of children related content across Astro platforms including
linear, digital and social media.

2. This Code is to be read in conjunction with the Code of Content published by the
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

3. Any reference in this Code to any statute, statutory provision, or governmental or

regulatory orders or directives shall be construed as including a reference to that statute
or statutory provision, or governmental or regulatory orders or directives as from time to
time amended, modified, extended or re-enacted whether before or after the date of this
Code and to all statutory instruments, orders and regulations for the time being made
pursuant to it or deriving validity from it.

4. Code Subjects (hereinafter defined) shall comply with all provisions under this Code and
any other instructions and/or guidelines as may be informed by Astro to the Code Subjects
from time to time.

Interpretation
1. “Child” or “Children” means any person who has not completed his/her fifteenth (15th) year
of age;

2. “Young person” or “Young people” means any person who, not being a child, has not
completed his/her eighteenth (18th) year of age;

3. “Code Subjects” means persons who are subject to the Code;

4. “Production Team” means all individuals responsible for the technical aspects of creating
of a particular video content.

GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS

When working with children and young people, Code Subjects shall:
(a) operate within Astro’s principles and guidance and any specific procedures;
(b) follow the Astro’s Content Code at all times and report any breaches and/or any
incidents as soon as possible after the incident;
(c) continually monitor and review practices to ensure this Code is followed.
CONTEXT OF CONTENT

Children's Content

1. Generic

Content designed specifically for children of and below fourteen (14) years reaches
impressionable minds and influences social attitudes and aptitudes. Code Subjects must
closely supervise and monitor the selection, control of material, characterisations and plot.
Specific attention must be paid to the aspects stated below.

(a) Violence
i. Violence in children content should be avoided if possible. This includes violence as a
joke and direct physical violence such as beating, caning, pushing, pinching, among
others.
ii. In children's content portrayed by real-life characters, violence can only be portrayed
when it is essential to the development of character and plot but should not be shown
directly such that it could be copied by children.
iii. Animated Content for children, while accepted as a stylised form of storytelling, which
can contain non-realistic violence, shall not depict violence as its central theme, and
shall not invite dangerous imitation.
iv. Content for children must not contain scenes of violence, which minimise or gloss over
the effects of violent acts. If the scene is necessary, it should then promote the negative
consequences on the offender.

(b) Safety, Security and Imitable Acts

i. Content for children must deal carefully with themes which can threaten their sense of
security, when portraying, for example; domestic conflict, the death of parents or close
relatives, or the death or injury of their pets, street crime or the use of drugs.
ii. Content for children must deal carefully with themes which could invite children to
imitate acts which they see on screen, such as the use of plastic bags as toys, use of
matches, the use of dangerous household products as playthings, or dangerous
physical acts such as climbing apartment balconies or rooftops.

(c) Content produced for children, young people or family with children or young people shall:
i. Promote positive values (e.g. respect, friendship, equality, etc.)
ii. Not display any aged-inappropriate elements (e.g. sexuality including LGBT themes,
violence, profanity, racism, religious sensitivity, terrorism, etc.)

(d) All talents engaged must embody positive values and make efforts to conduct themselves
in a positive manner when off-screen, on-screen and on digital space.

2. Performance content (any form of performance in events, talent shows or music

videos)
(a) Performances by a child or young person shall be decent and family friendly.

(b) Performances by a child or young person must not:

 i. Contain sexy, raunchy poses or moves.
ii. Insult religious sensitivities, the nation and any race.
iii. Use any symbolism that go against religious teachings and faith.
iv. Contain sensitive, swear or derogatory terms during their performance. (e.g.
nigger, bangla, indon, keling, etc.)

(c) Feedback of performances:

i. Should be enthusiastic and constructive.
ii. Avoid negative criticism.
iii. Avoid comments on a child or young person’s physical appearance.

(d) Scripts of any language given to and performed by a child or young person must:
i. Be cross-checked for correct grammar, spelling, pronunciation and punctuation.
ii. Not include sensitive, swear and/or derogatory terms.

3. Educational Content

(a) Any educational information must be:

i. Provided by qualified teachers during scripting, pre-production and production,
and if for exam revision, shall be in line with guidelines set out by the Ministry of
Education.
ii. Cross-checked during post-production by a different set of teachers.
iii. Cross-checked for correct grammar, spelling, pronunciation and punctuation for
written and spoken versions of any language, even if the content is not teaching
language learning (e.g. the English language supers in a Mathematics
programme).

4. Islamic Content

(a) For Islamic content, the Production Team must consult a certified religious expert,
such as an Ustaz, to ensure that all featured content is according to the Islamic
teachings.

(b) Any religious matter such as reading al-Quran and Hadith shall not be mixed with any
other entertainment on stage.

(c) Content featuring the al-Quran and Hadith must be seen with talents who cover their
aurat and dressed appropriately.

(d) Islamic teachings and verses from the al-Quran and Hadith shall not be portrayed in
a comedic manner or made fun of.

5. Conduct on Social Media

(a) Production to make effort to ensure that any talents used in Islamic, children and
educational content shall have decent conduct off-screen and on social media.
 (b) Talents who have had a history of sensitive incidents (e.g. racism, nudity, political
controversy, drugs, etc.) shall be avoided.

(c) Talents must be briefed to conduct themselves in a decent manner on their social
media and avoid any sensitive posts on their social media (e.g. racism, nudity, political
controversy, drugs, smoking/vaping, public display of affection, or anything against the
Islamic teachings).

6. Publishing
(a) Code Subjects handling publishing of content on Astro's kids platforms (including
social and digital media) shall not publish content containing the following themes
without prior written consent from an Assistant Vice President or higher in charge of
the respective brand. This include publishing of promotional materials e.g. trailers,
memes, GIFs, among others.

i. Violence
ii. Content with racial or religious sensitivity / discrimination
iii. Content with political messaging
iv. Content that may pose a threat to national security
v. Death
vi. Horror
vii. Nudity, sexual or other age-inappropriate content
viii. Profanities / Swearing in any language
ix. Content where the rights are not cleared for publishing

(b) Where it is not possible to moderate comments, comments shall be switched off on
children's platforms.

7. Bad Language
Bad language, including expletives and profanity is offensive to many people. The use of
crude words and derogatory terms is most likely to cause offence and especially if the
language is contrary to audience expectation. Bad language includes the following:

(a) Offensive Language

The use of disparaging or abusive words which is calculated to offend an individual or
a group of persons is not permitted.

(b) Crude References

Words, in any language commonly used in Malaysia, which are considered obscene
or profane are prohibited including crude references to sexual intercourse and
sexual organs.

(c) Hate Speech

Hate speech refers to any portrayal (words, speech or pictures, etc.), which
denigrates, defames, or otherwise devalues a person or group on the basis of race,
ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or disability and is
 prohibited. In particular: descriptions of any of these groups or their members involving
the use of strong language, crude language, explicit sexual references or obscene
gestures, are considered hate speech.

8. Family Values
(a) The principles of intellectual and emotional equality of both sexes and the dignity of all
individuals are to be respected. Despite societal discrimination, content should reflect
an awareness of the need to avoid and overcome biased portrayals on the basis of
gender. Women and men should be portrayed as equals both economically and
emotionally, and in both public and private spheres.

(b) Content should portray all persons as supporting participants in the family unit, home
management and household tasks. They should be portrayed as equal beneficiaries
of family or single-person life, in both work and leisure activities and, as far as possible,
under all types of thematic circumstances.

(c) In the acquisition of or involvement in non-Malaysian content, Code Subjects shall

make every effort to evaluate the content having with regard to family values in relation
to this Code.

9. Abiding by the Law

(a) Children shall be portrayed as abiding by the laws of Malaysia at all times unless it is
part of the plot development and shows the negative consequences of not abiding by
the laws. For example, younger children shall be depicted on car seats and older
children shall be depicted wearing seat belt in vehicle, as required by law. If a depiction
of breaking the laws is required for the plot of the story then it shall be accompanied
by a disclaimer on screen.

(b) If new laws and regulations are introduced (e.g. Recovery Movement Control Order
(“RMCO”) Regulations), then Code Subjects must inform children to comply with the
RMCO Regulations. For example, children must be shown wearing face masks,
maintaining social distance in the public or live gathering if the storyline is set in the
RMCO period.

(c) For filming carried out during the RMCO period, the Production Team must ensure
filming complies to video production guidelines released by FINAS.

10. Persons with Special Needs

There is a risk of offence in the use of humour based on physical, mental or sensory
disability, even where no malice is present. Reference to disability shall be included only
where relevant to the context and patronising expressions replaced by neutral terms. It should
be possible for persons with special needs to be included in programmes of all kinds.
11. Advertisement

The Use of People in Advertising

(a) Children and Advertising

Special care and attention are to be paid to children in advertisements. This requires
a need for Code Subjects to comply with requirements set out below:
i. The use of children is not encouraged unless the products advertised are
relevant to them and/or except in the context of promoting safety for the children.
ii. Advertisements addressed to children and/or young people or likely to be seen
by them, shall not contain anything whether an illustration or otherwise, which
result in harming them physically, mentally or morally or which exploits their
credulity, their lack of experience or natural sense of loyalty.
iii. Advertisements pertaining to activities of a society or club for children must be
that of a club or society that is properly supervised.
iv. In any situation where children are projected, careful consideration must be given
for their safety illustrations:
1) Children must not be seen leaning on a window or a bridge railing or
climbing a steep cliff in a dangerous manner.
2) Small children under three (3) years of age must not be shown climbing a
high rack or to reach for something on a table higher than their head level.
3) Medicines, disinfectants, antiseptics, caustic substances, pesticides and all
aerosol preparations must not be shown within reach of children without
close parental supervision or neither can they be shown using them.
4) Children must not be shown using matches or any gas, petrol, paraffin,
electrical or mechanical appliances which could cause them suffering
burns, electric shocks or other injuries.
5) Children must not be shown driving or riding agricultural machines
(including tractor-drawn carts) or any other heavy machines.
6) Children are not allowed to be exposed to any form of fire without being
observed by adults.
7) Children must not be shown playing with firecrackers or fireworks which are
banned in Malaysia.

12. Working contract or agreement

(a) No child or young person is at the legal age to sign on any contract or agreement.
Any working contract or agreement must go through the child or young person’s
parents or legal guardians.

(b) Payment terms will be subjected to the child or young person’s parents or legal
guardians.

(c) The child or young person’s parents or legal guardian who endorses the contract or
agreement is responsible to abide to Malaysia’s income tax regulations.
13. Working duration for a child according to the Children and Young Persons
(Employment) Act 1966 (“the Act”):

(a) Pursuant to Section 5 of the Act, a child is not permitted to work:

i. between the hours of 8 o’clock in the evening and 7 o’clock in the morning;
ii. more than six (6) days in seven consecutive days (for every seven (7)
consecutive days, there will be one (1) rest day);
iii. more than three (3) consecutive hours without break of at least thirty (30)
minutes;
iv. more than six (6) hours in a day;
v. more than seven (7) hours in a day including the schooling hours if the child is
attending school; or
vi. on any day without having at least fourteen (14) consecutive hours away from
work.

(b) If specific times are not available for filming assignments then production shall provide
an indication of the time frame when the child will be required.

14. Working duration for young person according to the Act:

(a) Pursuant to Section 6 of the Act, a young person is not permitted to work:
i. to work between the hours of 8 o’clock in the evening and 6 o’clock in the morning
ii. more than six (6) days in seven consecutive days (for every seven (7) consecutive
days, there will be one rest day);
iii. more than four consecutive hours without break of at least thirty (30) minutes;
iv. more than seven (7) hours in a day;
v. more than eight (8) hours in a day including the schooling hours if the child is
attending school; or
vi. on any day without having at least twelve (12) consecutive hours away from work.

(b) If specific times are not available for filming assignments then the Production Team
shall provide an indication of the time frame when the young person will be required.

15. Education

(a) Education arrangement must be made for the period of the production if the child or
young person involved requires considerable absence from school.

(b) A school room shall be prepared by the Production Team.

(c) A letter authorizing absence from school needs to be obtained by the child's or young
person’s parent or legal guardian.

(d) Production shall provide a leave of absence from school letter to be submitted to the
child’s or young person’s school authority.
16. Presence of Guardian

(a) A child or young person taking part in the production must be supervised at all times
by a parent or chaperone.

(b) The chaperone shall:

i. Protect, safeguard and support the child or young person.
ii. Ensure that the child's or young person’s experience is enjoyable and
beneficial.
iii. Remain with the child or young person at all times.
iv. Accompany the child or young person to and from the dressing room and on
set.
v. Have the child in view at all times.
vi. Always prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the child at all times.
vii. Always act within professional boundaries and ensure all contact with children
is essential to the programme or project or activity in which the chaperone is
engaged with.
viii. Behave appropriately and use appropriate language at all times.
ix. Listen to and respect children at all times, to not patronise them and avoid
favouritism.
x. Treat children and young persons fairly and without prejudice or discrimination.
xi. If one observes children engaging in bullying behaviour or other behaviour that
may put them at risk, he/she must report it to the Production Team.

(c) The Production Team shall:

i. Involve the parents or chaperone wherever possible and encourage the
parents to take responsibility for their own child or young person.
ii. Provide the option for the parents or chaperone to be present during filming.
iii. Obtain written parental consent to film the child or young person and
publishing the content on social media.

17. Health and Safety

(a) Production must ensure the following:

i. Suitable dressing rooms, toilet facilities, adequate shelter and rest areas are
prepared.
ii. Dressing rooms are separate from the adults and that adults are not passing
through or walking into the child's or young person’s room.
iii. First aid or medical provision is available and ensure there are trained and
named individuals to undertake first aid responsibilities.
iv. Ensure training is regularly monitored and updated.
v. Always ensure that an appropriate health/risk assessment is undertaken prior
to undertaking certain activities.
vi. The Production Team must ensure the validity of production insurance before
and during the whole of production period.
 vii. The Production Team must inform Astro within twenty four (24) hours should
there be any unexpected or unplanned incident happens during the shoot, such
as but not limited to on site accident, cancellation of shoot, talent injury or
illness, among others. This shall be immediately followed up with a written
incident report to Astro via email to document the incident.
viii. The child’s or young person’s parents complete a medical declaration form and
provide details including any treatment or medication required.
ix. To ensure a list of emergency contact details of each child or young person
including any medical issues or additional needs is available on set.
x. To suspend filming with the child or young person if they are ill or have a body
temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius.
xi. To leave the set if the crew member is ill or has a body temperature above 37.5
degrees Celsius.
xii. To keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with details of any
treatment given.
xiii. To ensure safety precautions and measures are taken on set.
xiv. To always ensure equipment is used safely and for its intended purpose;
xv. To ensure wirings are secured neatly and with no exposed wiring on set.
xvi. To ensure the child or young person is kept within safe distance from wirings
and heavy equipment.
xvii. To wear proper footwear while working on sets.
xviii. To prepare clear directional signages at appropriate places to the rest area,
wash room, prayer room and exits on set.
xix. To prepare chairs or rest areas for the child or young person to wait in between
set ups.
xx. To maintain and uphold cleanliness and tidiness on set.

(b) The Production Team shall be responsible to safeguard and protect the child or young
person from harm, abuse and exploitation.

(c) All efforts must be made to ensure that any content provided will not result in causing,
encouraging or promoting physical injury or abuse of a child or expose a child to moral
danger.

(d) All suspicions and allegations of abuse shall be taken seriously and responded to
swiftly and appropriately. Abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional
abuse, neglect, child sexual exploitation and bullying.

18. Usage of Props

(a) The Production Team shall share the selection of all props being used to Astro prior
to the shoot and inform Astro of such selection. The Production Team shall only be
permitted to such props which have been acknowledged and approved by Astro prior
to the shoot.

(b) These props shall be strictly used for production purpose only and shall not be used
for other purposes other than the shoot.
 (c) These props shall not be used as a physical weapon on any talents that may cause
any form of injury.

(d) The Production Team shall also ensure all props will not be used by talents or crews
for other activities outside of the shoot.

19. Meals

(a) The Production Team shall ensure the child’s or young person’s provision of meals
are provided (5) times a day (breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner and supper) or at
least three (3) full meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

(b) Meals provided by The Production Team must be certified Halal and prepared by a
halal-certified caterer.

(c) The child or young person must be fed with clean, fresh and nutritious meals. Fast
food and junk food are strictly prohibited

(d) All catered food shall be labelled clearly.

20. Travel Safety and Arrangements

(a) The Production Team shall ensure the following:

i. Gain written parental consent for any significant travel arrangements (e.g.
overnight stays or travelling interstate).
ii. Make suitable arrangements to get the child or young person home or to any
other destination following the end of the activity on any day.
iii. Use reliable transport companies.
iv. A designated member shall be appointed to plan and provide oversight of all
transport arrangements and respond to any concerns that may arise.
v. Wherever possible and practicable it is advisable that transport is undertaken
other than in private vehicles and with at least one (1) adult in addition to the
driver acting as an escort.
vi. The driver assigned shall ensure that the transport arrangements and the
vehicle meet all legal requirements.
vii. The vehicle is roadworthy and appropriately insured and that the maximum
carrying capacity is not exceeded.
viii. Provide overnight accommodation in the event of the child or young person
travelling interstate.
ix. Not allow child or young person to travel alone with adults who are not
members of the crew.

(b) The child or young person who is living in accommodation will be accompanied there
by the chaperone.
21. Appearance of Child or Young Person in Content

(a) Makeup and wardrobe for a child and young person

The Production Team shall ensure that the following makeup and wardrobe guidelines
are complied with:

i. Makeup
1) Only light and natural-looking makeup are allowed.
2) Must not be made up to look like an adult by their makeup, hairdo or
wardrobe.
3) No blackface makeup or makeup that represents a racial caricature.

ii. Wardrobe
1) Must keep torsos covered.
2) Short shirt sleeves should come down to the elbow (for girls, long-
sleeved tops are preferable).
3) Shorts or skirts should extend down to the knee (long trousers are ideal)
4) No figure-hugging, see-through clothing, crop top or singlet.
5) Shirt must not contain any sexual, blasphemous, violent, gore, political
images or any branded images such as characters or logos unless
specifically requested.

(b) Additional wardrobe guidelines for Muslim children or young persons in Islamic
content
i. Wardrobe must be Syariah compliant. The Production Team may seek
advice from religious expert, such as an Ustaz, if unsure.
ii. A Muslim child or young person is encouraged to cover their aurat if they
have reached the baligh age.
iii. A child or young person wearing a headscarf (tudung) must ensure it covers
the chest area.
iv. Ladies or girls should wear tudung even if the filming set is in a house. In
no situation we can show ladies or girls without tudung or revealing their
aurat.

(c) All talents should abide the laws by wearing the face masks in public at all times
if the storyline is set in RMCO.

22. Working Etiquette Guidelines for the Production Crew

(a) The Do’s

i. All content must have due regard to the welfare of a child at all times.
ii. The physical and emotional welfare of the child or young person must be taken
care of regardless of any consent given by them or by a parent.
iii. Always work in an open environment and encourage communication with no
secrets.
 iv. Make the experience of working on a film or being filmed an enjoyable and
rewarding experience. This includes promoting fairness, confronting and
dealing with bullying.
v. Treat all children and or young persons equally and with respect and dignity.
vi. Always give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative
criticism.
vii. Address child or young person by name or “adik”.
viii. Include prayer time in the call sheet.
ix. Hold or stop all production activities during azan time.
x. Always ensure language is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory;
xi. Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance from the child or young person.
xii. Physical contact shall take place only when it is necessary in relation to a
particular activity.
xiii. The Production Team must protect the child’s or young person’s welfare. The
welfare of children and young persons shall not be compromised in process of
production.
xiv. The following requirements shall be complied with for filming carried out during
the RMCO period:
1) Always wear a facemask when shooting.
2) Always practice social distancing of at least one (1) meter.
3) Makeup artists must wear face masks and face shield when doing
makeup for talents.
4) Makeup artists and production crew must wash hands frequently with
soap or sanitizers.
5) Talent's outfits/wardrobes must be washed and disinfected and cannot
be shared among each other.
6) Clean and disinfect shooting equipment before and after each use.
7) Production crew who are unwell must be referred to a clinic or hospital.
8) Clean and disinfect production vehicles regularly after each use.

(b) The Don'ts

The following are regarded as poor practice and shall be avoided by all production
crew:
i. Persuade or coerce the child or young person into doing or say something on
camera or audio recording that they feel uncomfortable doing or saying.
ii. Allowing the child or young person to use inappropriate language
unchallenged.
iii. Using swear words or insulting comments in front of the child or young person.
iv. Reducing the child or young person to tears as a form of control.
v. Commenting on the child's or young person’s appearance or features.
vi. Smoking or vaping at the shooting location, especially near the child or young
person.
vii. Use of drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants on set.
viii. Allowing outsiders on set unless they have permission by production.
ix. Discussing political issues on set.
x. Causing unnecessary distress or anxiety to the child or young person
xi. Spending excessive amounts of time alone with the child or young person away
from others.
 xii. Engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games.
xiii. Making sexually suggestive comments to the child or young person, even as a
joke.

23. Working Etiquette Guidelines for Children and Young Persons

(a) The Do’s

i. Address adults in a respectful manner (e.g. Kak, Abang, Encik, Tuan Director).
ii. Salam or greet production crews when arriving or leaving the sets.
iii. Parents or families need to wear proper and modest clothing when visiting the
set.

(b) The Don’ts

i. Run around on set.
ii. Wander off set without parent or chaperone’s permission.
iii. Use swear words or insulting comments.

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