<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>MediaCorp explains rationale behind rape and torture scenes
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to last Saturday's letter by Ms Jennifer Tay, 'Why is there a spike in rape and torture scenes in local TV drama', and thank her for her feedback.
Channel 8 is one of our mass entertainment television channels, and we are aware of the need to ensure our programmes are suitable for family viewing. While we maintain high programming standards for content scheduled in accessible time slots, there is also a need for the programmes to strike a realistic chord in their story-telling, and be able to engage viewers with relatable content.
Sexual and violent crimes are topics that are reported frequently in the newspapers. However, they are not a key ingredient in our local programme content. In cases where the theme of rape or violence is dealt with, we take extreme care in depicting them to ensure they are presented with minimal exposure, so the audience can understand the story while minimising the impact on the younger audience.
We believe children who are old enough to understand prime-time dramas will be able to appreciate the strong moral fibre of the storylines and plots, and suitably process the negativity and immorality of any vicious crime, including sexual crimes on innocent victims.
Paul Chan
Vice-President
Network Programming and Promotions, Channel 8
MediaCorp TV
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to last Saturday's letter by Ms Jennifer Tay, 'Why is there a spike in rape and torture scenes in local TV drama', and thank her for her feedback.
Channel 8 is one of our mass entertainment television channels, and we are aware of the need to ensure our programmes are suitable for family viewing. While we maintain high programming standards for content scheduled in accessible time slots, there is also a need for the programmes to strike a realistic chord in their story-telling, and be able to engage viewers with relatable content.
Sexual and violent crimes are topics that are reported frequently in the newspapers. However, they are not a key ingredient in our local programme content. In cases where the theme of rape or violence is dealt with, we take extreme care in depicting them to ensure they are presented with minimal exposure, so the audience can understand the story while minimising the impact on the younger audience.
We believe children who are old enough to understand prime-time dramas will be able to appreciate the strong moral fibre of the storylines and plots, and suitably process the negativity and immorality of any vicious crime, including sexual crimes on innocent victims.
Paul Chan
Vice-President
Network Programming and Promotions, Channel 8
MediaCorp TV
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