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Policies and Content Guidelines
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Providing adults with a greater variety of choice while at the same time protecting the young – these are the two basic guiding principles that direct us when it comes to devising policies. In addition, guidelines and codes of practice create clear operating boundaries for businesses and help foster stronger growth for the industries.
This section provides an insight into how classification is carried out, the codes of practice and guidelines governing different types of media as well as licensing conditions and procedures. |
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Plays and musicals, dance performances, exhibitions, concerts, variety shows, poetry and play reading sessions – these all fall under the category of Arts Entertainment. Except for certain types of arts entertainment which are exempted from licensing, all events open to the public require an Arts Entertainment licence.
Policies for Films and Videos allow for flexibility and co-regulation with industry players. For example, the Dual Rating Policy gives distributors the option to screen two versions of the same movie, while the Declaration of Content Concerns allows companies to recommend a rating and declare contentious contents in their submissions. These and other guidelines streamline procedures for film and video classification.
Publications and audio materials are largely industry self-regulated. MDA works closely with the industry by issuing content guidelines, carrying out training sessions on content matters and conducting dialogue sessions withthe aim to create a socially responsible media industry.
Various guidelines for broadcasters have been established to ensure high programme standards and to create opportunities for growth. The guidelines vary depending on the size of viewership and whether the service is available for free or on a paid-for basis. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in influencing children’s television viewing choices and habits.
All audiotext service providers are automatically licensed under the Class Licence scheme and need to comply with the Class Licence conditions. They also need to be registered with MDA. Audiotext service providers – including those who offer chatline services – also need to comply with the Audiotext Code of Practice.
A balanced and light-touch approach has been adopted to ensure that minimum standards are set for the responsible use of the Internet while giving maximum flexibility to industry players to operate. Industry self-regulation and public education efforts are also encouraged.
To ensure that programmes are of high quality and are acceptable to the majority of listeners, MDA has put in place content and advertising guidelines for radio stations operated by both local and foreign broadcasters.
The various policies and guidelines relating to video games provide a clear framework in which video game distributors can conduct their business and distribute titles in Singapore.
In order to keep its codes and standards up to date with industry developments, MDA conducts regular consultation sessions among the media industry and the public.
In 2003, the MDA issued the Code of Practice for Market Conduct in the Provision of Mass Media Services (“Code”) to promote fair market conduct and effective competition by laying out the ground rules for fair competition in the broadcasting and print sectors.
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