SINGAPORE: Singapore is taking a significant step to further liberalise and expand the space for political debate.
Parliament on Monday debated changes to the Films Act, allowing certain types of films which would otherwise be termed party political films.
Regulations on internet election advertising have also been relaxed.
Moving the second reading of the Fims Act (Amendment) Bill, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, stressed that Singapore's society is changing, especially with better education and greater exposure through travel, globalisation and the Internet.
Young Singaporeans want more space for political discourse, greater engagement with the government and for their views to be taken seriously.
The amendment will spell out more clearly that an exemption applies to films made solely for the purpose of reporting of news by a licensed broadcasting service.
The Act will also be expanded to allow films that are factual and objective and do not dramatise or present a distorted picture.
This would then allow for live recordings of events held in accordance with the law; anniversary and commemorative videos of political parties; and factual documentaries and biographies.
Said Mr Lui: "These amendments will allow much leeway for political parties and election candidates as well as individuals to produce party political films. At the same time, this will allow for political debate in Singapore to remain serious and robust.
“We should not prevent people from recording video clips of political events held in accordance with the law or from making factual documentary videos of political issues and events. But we must continue to have limits against undesirable political materials, for example, fictionalised accounts or political commercials, even though it may not be possible to enforce these limits completely.
“Films with animation and dramatisation and distort what is real or factual will be disallowed, as the intent of the amendments is to ensure that these films do not undermine the seriousness of political debate."
To further liberalise the space for political expression, Mr Lui said the ministry will also relax the Internet election advertising regulations.
Political parties and their candidates can now use films allowed under the amended Films Act during an election period.
This went beyond the recommendation of Advisory Council of the Impact of New Media on Society or AIMS, which had recommended that there be a blackout period for party political films during an election.
Mr Lui said the government recognises that the situation is dynamic and the environment will continue to evolve and it is prepared to make further changes, when appropriate. - CNA/vm
Parliament on Monday debated changes to the Films Act, allowing certain types of films which would otherwise be termed party political films.
Regulations on internet election advertising have also been relaxed.
Moving the second reading of the Fims Act (Amendment) Bill, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, stressed that Singapore's society is changing, especially with better education and greater exposure through travel, globalisation and the Internet.
Young Singaporeans want more space for political discourse, greater engagement with the government and for their views to be taken seriously.
The amendment will spell out more clearly that an exemption applies to films made solely for the purpose of reporting of news by a licensed broadcasting service.
The Act will also be expanded to allow films that are factual and objective and do not dramatise or present a distorted picture.
This would then allow for live recordings of events held in accordance with the law; anniversary and commemorative videos of political parties; and factual documentaries and biographies.
Said Mr Lui: "These amendments will allow much leeway for political parties and election candidates as well as individuals to produce party political films. At the same time, this will allow for political debate in Singapore to remain serious and robust.
“We should not prevent people from recording video clips of political events held in accordance with the law or from making factual documentary videos of political issues and events. But we must continue to have limits against undesirable political materials, for example, fictionalised accounts or political commercials, even though it may not be possible to enforce these limits completely.
“Films with animation and dramatisation and distort what is real or factual will be disallowed, as the intent of the amendments is to ensure that these films do not undermine the seriousness of political debate."
To further liberalise the space for political expression, Mr Lui said the ministry will also relax the Internet election advertising regulations.
Political parties and their candidates can now use films allowed under the amended Films Act during an election period.
This went beyond the recommendation of Advisory Council of the Impact of New Media on Society or AIMS, which had recommended that there be a blackout period for party political films during an election.
Mr Lui said the government recognises that the situation is dynamic and the environment will continue to evolve and it is prepared to make further changes, when appropriate. - CNA/vm
