Censorship In Singapore

Censorship of films in Singapore is widely viewed by most Singaporeans and other foreign media (such as France) to be strict. This is partly due to political films being illegal to broadcast in Singapore. However, the majority of cinematic films that were banned from Singapore’s cinemas were due to excessive violence such as (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre) excessive nudity, (Shortbus), inappropriate’ religious content, (Life of Brian) and others.

Censorship process in Singapore.

 

Vetting Process

Film Classification Process

The Board of Film Censors (BFC) assesses if the distributor’s indicated rating for the film upon submission is suitable. A suggestion would be made if it is not suitable. Distributors hence have the choice of accepting the suggestion or removing certain scenes from the film to adhere to the guidelines required for the distributors’ preferred ratings.

An example is 15- a movie by Royston Tan who had to make 27 cuts and have an R (A) rating (for those aged over 21 and above)

A blog review on 15: http://www.directorsnotes.com/2006/06/17/15-royston-tan/

In the event of controversial films, the BFC will meet with the Films Consultative Panel to provide a decision.

An appeal of the BFC decision’s may be directed by the director to the Films Appeal Committee.

How is censorship exercised in Singapore?

All films broadcasted legally in Singapore must pass through the Singapore’s censorship board and under the -Films Act- all videos must bear a certificate issued by the MDA’s Licensing Services (Films and Publications) unit with the exception of exempted categories that carry an exemption number.

E.g. Educational documentaries.

Videos bought outside of Singapore borders are considered uncensored and must be declared and submitted to the Board of Film Censors (part of the MDA) for classification. The Board classifies videos under the Films Act based on the content and does not determine their origin.

Who does the censorship in Singapore?

The Films Consultative Panel (FCP), the Board of films censors (BFC) and the Films Appeal Committee (FAC) are the ones who censor all films to be broadcast within Singapore with certain exceptions:

Films exempted from censorship

·        Educational or training materials

·        Advertising and promotional materials (excluding promotional clips of non-exempted videos and film trailers)

·        Arts and cultural performances

·        Documentary

·        Sports

·        Children programmes

·        Recordings of local TV programmes

·        Pre-1966 movies and music clips

·        Personal recording

·        Karaoke (excluding MTV clips and live concerts)

Outline of the panels censoring films in Singapore.

Films Consultative Panel (FCP)
Aim: to reflect the community’s standards in classification decisions.

The Panel is to provide for a more balanced and objective approach to film classification, in keeping with changing social mores. The Panel is consulted whenever a decision needs to be made on a controversial film.

§        Formed in 1982

§        Panel is appointed for a term of two years.

§        Consist of 65 members from different age groups, races, religions, marital status and professions.

§        Chaired by Mr. Vijay Chandran, Lecturer/Course Coordinator, School of Film & Media Studies, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

The Films Appeal Committee (FAC)
Aim: provide distributors a chance to appeal against decisions on films.
(Stipulated under Films Act)

§        15 members from different fields of expertise.

§        Formed in 1950s.

§        Chaired by Mrs. Mildred Tan, Managing Director, Ernst & Young Associates PTE LTD

§        Panel is appointed for a term of three years.

Under Section 26 of the Films Act, the committee is empowered to make such order as it thinks fit with regards to:

·        approval for exhibition of any film which is the subject of appeal

·        excision or retention of any part of any such film

·        classification of any film.

The committee’s decision is final

 

 

Censorship Review Committees draws up the general guidelines while the Media Development Authority (MDA) set up the detailed guidelines with views from the FCP, FAC and the film industry.

Views expressed during dialogue sessions with different community groups, surveys and feedbacks from the committee are taken into consideration when the guidelines are reviewed regularly.

Singapore’s censorship enforcers

·        The public
the public is advised to call 1800 478 5478 when seeing obscene or uncertified videos being illegally possessed.

·        The copyright owners.
The copyright owners are informed by the MDA who is not legally empowered to arbitrate in copyright claims or disputes about copyright infringement of owner’s intellectual property rights allowing these owners to follow-up and take legal action under the Copyright Act.

·        Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
The immigration & Checkpoints Authority works together with the MDA to ensure that all films bought outside of Singapore borders –hence considered uncensored- are submitted to the Board of Film Censors.

What kind of penalties is exercised?

· Penalty: Those found dealing with obscene materials can be fined up to $80,000 and/or face a jail term of up to two years.

· Penalty: For the possession of obscene videos are a fine of up to $40,000 and/or a jail term of 1 year.

Links to outside opinions on Singapore’s censorship on films:
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/apr2000/sff3-a24.shtml

Article: censorship of broadcast on censorship -Satire on censorship not funny
http://www.thinkcentre.org/article.cfm?ArticleID=2346

Blog on cinematic films:
http://sgfilmsoc.blogspot.com/

Reference for the above information:
www.mda.gov.sg

Acknowledgement for pictures used:
http://www.cartoonstock.com
http://www.socialmedia.biz