Singapore lifts ban on film about opposition politician

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Saturday, 12 September 2009

AFP

Singapore on Friday lifted a ban on a film about a local opposition politician under revised guidelines introduced earlier in March this year.

The Media Development Authority (MDA) announced the lifting of the ban on Singapore Rebel on its website, saying the documentary no longer violates the revised Films Act. (Watch video here)

Previously, the 26-minute documentary about opposition politician Chee Soon Juan was banned because under the old guidelines, it was classified as a "party political film."

Before the amendments were introduced this year, the Films Act prohibited the making and distribution of films containing partisan political references or comments.

Under the amended Films Act, the documentary "should therefore not be regarded as a party political film," the MDA said in a statement posted on its website.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said last year the government accepted that its policies must evolve to remain relevant in the current media landscape in which Internet use has become more widespread.

Singapore has often been criticised by human rights and media groups for maintaining strict political controls despite its rapid modernisation but the government says the strict laws are necessary to maintain law and order -- a pillar of the country's economic prosperity.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hfJPUmARVzXWXY5-im10c_jR-HyA

SDP: Readers should note that the unbanning of the Singapore Rebel is not a change of heart of the PAP. The New Media has completely overtaken the Government's ability to censor information on the Internet. The ruling party has had no choice but to play catch up.

Read also Martyn See's Ban on "Singapore Rebel" lifted, rated M18

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Comments (12)

Sun 13 Sep 2009 8:05 AM | BryanT - Kudos to those who dare to change

[color=red]"Readers should note that the unbanning of the Singapore Rebel is not a change of heart of the PAP."[/color]

Kudos where kudos are due, and in this case, it's the authorities who have recognised that censorship is ineffective.

Call it overwhelmed or surrender, but it's a positive move that shows awareness of the changes affecting society and the new media and which led to the amendment of the Films Act.

If SDP had contributed to reasoned debate that led to the change in the Films Act, then congrats too!

Mon 14 Sep 2009 3:37 AM | quantum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VZqq3o6tLw

Welcome to Nassim Jade!

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_429233.html

Party renewal - new blood

Mon 14 Sep 2009 3:45 AM | BryanT - quantum

quantum, wow, not a bad looking girl. You sure have some taste!

Pity about the repetitive lyrics though : Welcome to Nassim Jade, Welcome to Nassim Jade, Welcome to Nassim Jade, Welcome to Nassim Jade.

Does it not give you a headache?

Maybe MDA should ban songs with repetitive (stupid) lyrics since they are bad for old folks.

Mon 14 Sep 2009 4:10 AM | Tan Tai Wei

MDA could never have even thought of lifting that ban, new "guidelines" notwithstanding.

Our senior civil servants, based upon my lifetime fairly firsthand encounters in my work experiences, I think, sren't made of such stuff as to be fair in especially politically "sensitive" cases.

They must have been instructed from the top.

Mon 14 Sep 2009 6:47 AM | BryanT - Tan Tai Wei

[color=red]"They must have been instructed from the top."[/color]

Tan Tai Wei, I agree with your analysis. The decision is political and only the minister would be in a position to initiate such a major shift. Civil servants are mere executors, which is not a bad thing since I think they should be neutral.

I am guessing it's due to the recent change at the helm of MICA. Lee Boon Yang did not impress me personally during his round at MICA, and hopefully the new (acting) minister will set a more liberated and open tone to managing the media.

Even if it were only "symbolic" as Martin See stated in the MSM, it is a concrete change towards a sign of maturity and confidence towards such material by the ruling party.

But as with many things about this government, I think the change will be gradual rather than drastic.

I'll bet that "Zahari's 17 Years" video will be next to be permitted, since Said's book is already available here.

Mon 14 Sep 2009 7:42 PM | Tan Tai Wei

BryanT, rather than being "neutral", they are pro-government, nay pro whoever is boss who pays the fiddler!

It's the sort of support motivated, not by sincerity and conviction that deserves respect whatever their leanings, but by career prospects, or fear to lose them.

And often their abject devotion to that embarrasses the government instead, as it might have been in the present case, explaining the reversal of that ban.

Mon 14 Sep 2009 8:16 PM | | Jasmine - First they have give the notice of the paticular i

I am agree with your objection which is made to be a ban on the film in Singapore, I think it is to be the I'll bet that "Zahari's 17 Years" video will be next to be permitted, since Said's book is already available here.
Bad issue!!!

Tue 15 Sep 2009 2:36 AM | BryanT - Tan Tai Wei

[color=red]"And often their abject devotion to that embarrasses the government instead, as it might have been in the present case, explaining the reversal of that ban."[/color]

Tan Tai Wei, Iyou had earlier stated that you think that the civil servants were "instructed from the top" to reverse the ban.

If that is the case, then the civil servants are simply trying to explain what they were instructed to do. It would then not be much of an embarrassment to the ministers to hear their civil servants struggling to justify their case.

All the more, the ministers would rather that the civil servants do the "dirty job" of doing the explanation, instead of embarrassing themselves.

Tue 15 Sep 2009 6:56 AM | G_Chen - Kudos?? oh, cut the crap

How can someone kudos to those who took away what is rightfully yours only to grudgingly return a small portion of what they had taken back to the you (the owner) due to circumstances beyond their control rather than their personal conviction to do what is right? Kudos should go to those who fight for equality, rights and justice regardless of the fact that they are fighting against the tides. Kudos goes to the internet and the creator of Youtube and such. Kudos goes to those who know how to utilize these new media to overcome obstructions that are placed across their path so as to impede their rights to express and the people’s rights towards accessing of information. Last but not least, kudos goes to the SDP, the activists and people like Martyn See, Seelan Paley, who despite being interrogated, persecuted and inconvenienced, continues to fight for what they believe in, their rights and that of every Singaporean.

Tue 15 Sep 2009 11:18 AM | Stanley

The film needs subtitles.
Anyway, congrats SDP.

Fri 18 Sep 2009 5:21 PM | BryanT - G_Chen

[color=red]"Kudos should go to those who fight for equality, rights and justice regardless of the fact that they are fighting against the tides."[/color]

G_Chen, ok, I concede that I omitted granting Martyn See his due worth of kudos for his persistence which has bore a fruit. I hope there are more to come from his quarters.

As for the rest you mention, they will get their due worth when they succeed. I doubt there is a need to be preemptive. Yes, they are fighting the tide, and some of it is the tide of public opinion.

I agree that the media restriction have been too harsh and should be relaxed, albeit gradually. But even a reversal now(however small) is commendable, don't you think?

Tue 15 Sep 2009 8:24 PM | tangeo - G_Chen

Kudos should go to the people who fight tirelessly against the oppressors. Even if they don't turn the tide within a short time, their efforts should be recognised and encouraged.

To wait for success before we recognise their efforts is plain selfish and sick.