MICA unlikely to agree to all proposals of Censorship
Review Report
Posted: 19 September 2010 1635 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Acting Information, Communications and the
Arts Minister said his ministry is unlikely to agree to all the
recommendations made by the Censorship Review Committee in its
report issued on Wednesday.
Mr Lui Tuck Yew described the report as a well-considered and
thoughtful one, and said his ministry will give its response within
the fortnight.
The Censorship Review Committee spent nearly a whole year looking
at various issues, conducting surveys and going in-depth into
different areas, said Mr Lui.
And the team has managed to reconcile the conflicting views of many
interest groups.
Mr Lui said: "We are in agreement with many of the recommendations
but we are unlikely to agree with all the recommendations. What is
encouraging is that CRC (Censorship Review Committee) had
understood full well the need to continue to protect the young, to
safeguard our racial and religious harmony, and also ensure that
our societal values are kept intact.
"Going forward, it is partnership that parents, industry and arts
groups, and government... to come together to make sure that we
arrive at the appropriate equilibrium for Singapore and
Singaporeans."
One of the key recommendations of the Censorship Review Committee
is about parental empowerment. The committee recommends that
parents use optional internal filters on an easy-to-use parental
lock system for Internet and TV content when it comes to their
children.
The filters would replace the current symbolic ban on 100 websites,
but the government should retain the power to ban websites that are
seen as a threat to national security, such as terrorism and
extreme racial or religious hate sites.
As for keeping up with technological changes, Mr Lui acknowledged
that parents do have some concerns as to whether they could keep up
with the pace.
Mr Lui said: "So parents will have concerns if the government
leaves it completely to them, whether they are equipped to do what
is necessary. We need to educate not only the youngsters, we need
to have programmes for parents who are interested and want keep up
with this.
"That's one thing that needs to be done and that's in line with the
recommendations of the CRC."
The Censorship Review Committee also recommends introducing a PG-13
rating to allow for more nuanced classification of films. And
accordingly, certain PG-rated films could be allowed on free-to-air
channels before 10pm.
The R21 rating will be retained, but such films may be shown in
heartlands cinemas, subject to certain advertising and timing
restrictions. R21 films aired on pay-TV should also carry more
prominent warnings.
Mr Lui said when responding to the wide-ranging report, the
government will also present its role going forward in this
environment. - CNA /ls 
