MICA unlikely to agree to all proposals of Censorship Review
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MICA unlikely to agree to all proposals of Censorship Review Report
Posted: 19 September 2010 1635 hrsSINGAPORE : 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 -
election coming.
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LAME AH!
Stupid news
