PUBLICATIONS

Who governs censorship in publications?

The censorship review committee (CRC), Media development authority – administered the Undesirable Publications Act.

What is censored?

- homosexuality, violence, sexual content and nudity, coarse language, Chinese dialects (due to Singapore’s “speak Chinese” campaigns.

How to carry out censorship exercises:

4.9 PUBLICATIONS

“4.9.1 The content standards for local and foreign publications are regulated through the
Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA) and the Undesirable Publications Act
(UPA) administered by MDA. Local publications require a permit under the NPPA.

Importers of foreign publications are registered under the MDA’s Registered Importers
Scheme which requires them not to import publications that may denigrate race and
religion, undermine the moral values of our society or prejudice public order.
4.9.2 In recent years, some popular local lifestyle magazines have become almost as liberal
as their imported counterparts in terms of content standards. While this trend
may have been brought about by readers who have become open-minded, it does
raise a censorship concern.
4.9.3 At present, there is no classification system for publications. Hence, publications
with sensitive content may be disallowed or banned as in the case of Playboy and
Cosmopolitan magazines. Some have argued that unless a publication far exceeds
society’s acceptance level, like Playboy, it should be allowed access to adult readers
through the following means:
a. Classifying the publication by allowing its sale only to those above a certain age.
b. Allowing its sale through subscription only.
c. Using cellophane paper to wrap the publication to avoid unsolicited viewing
and reading at retail outlets.
d. Using suitable consumer advice to alert potential buyers of sensitive content in
the publication.
e. Regulating its promotion and advertising to reduce its appeal to non-targeted
readers.”

(information obtained from http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.file/mobj/mobj.316.Censorship_Review_2003.pdf )

How does the government carry out censorships?
Through classifications.

Eg:
-restrict the sales of books unsuitable for children by subscription .
-wrapping to prevent unsolicited viewing
-displaying consumer advise about its sensitive content.