S'pore amends films act

Ban on party political films partially lifted
By Clarissa Oon

SENSATIONALISTIC documentaries that distort facts should remain off limits if serious and rational political debate is to be maintained, Parliament heard on Monday.
Speaking during the debate on changes to the Films Act, Senior Minister of State (Information, Communications and the Arts) Lui Tuck Yew said Singapore's democracy would be 'debased' if it was 'reduced to sleek commercials, clever editing, sharp sound bites and political spin'.
The changes to the 11-year-old Act which Parliament passed, partially lift a ban on party political films and allow for the making and screening of certain types of films, including those of political party manifestos and factual documentaries.
Four MPs backed the changes. Of the other two who spoke, Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim criticised it, while Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong objected to the amendments altogether.
The changes came after a government-appointed advisory council on new media recommended that the ban on party political films be lifted in stages.
While the rationale for keeping out films that sensationalise and distort remains valid, a total ban on all party political films is no longer tenable because political films can easily be uploaded and viewed on the Internet, Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui explained.
Young Internet-savvy Singaporeans also want more space for political discourse, and political parties could use film and new media tools to reach out to them, as politicians elsewhere are doing.
Given the evolving new media environment, he said the Government would make further changes to the Films Act 'when it is appropriate to do so'.
As it stands, the changes 'will allow much leeway for parties, election candidates and individuals' to produce such films while keeping political debate 'serious and robust', he told the House.