R21 Movies on Pay Television

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Communications and Information what is the rationale for allowing R21 movies to be aired on pay TV in homes and whether there will be a reconsideration of this decision.

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Mr Speaker, Sir, the introduction of R21 content on the video-on-demand (VOD) service by pay TV operators arose from a recommendation by the 2010 Censorship Review Committee (CRC), which conducts periodic reviews of our content regulation standards and policies. The CRC had recommended that R21 content be allowed on linear subscription TV channels and VOD services, with parental locks set by default.

Given the mature content and theme of R21 films, the Government took a cautious and calibrated approach, and allowed R21 content to be offered only on VOD on pay TV. In accepting this CRC recommendation, we had recognised the need to provide adults with mature content while at the same time protecting our young. We also recognised that VOD on pay TV allows for a higher degree of parental oversight, with the availability of an easy-to-use parental lock mechanism to prevent unauthorised access by under-aged viewers. VOD is also a paid service whereby consumers make a conscious choice to purchase the videos they wish to watch.

I would like to assure the hon Member that in allowing the R21 VOD service, the Media Development Authority (MDA) has put in place several safeguard measures.

First, MDA has required the pay TV operators to implement an effective parental lock mechanism to prevent access by under-aged viewers. Both StarHub and SingNet conducted trials on their locking mechanism to ensure that they are effective as well as user-friendly. All R21 VOD content are locked by default and can only be accessed through a PIN number. Existing VOD customers who request for the PIN number will need to have their identity verified over the phone using the name, age, NRIC number and date of birth. As an additional safeguard, pay TV operators will also ask the caller to provide information on: (a) date of last bill payment, (b) method of payment, and (c) location of payment. New customers are required to personally sign up and show proof of their age at retail shops. In addition, MDA has also required the pay TV operators to put in place sufficient publicity to educate consumers on the safeguards for the R21 VOD service. Trailers for the R21 VOD will not be allowed on linear pay TV channels.

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Moreover, StarHub and SingNet can only offer R21 titles that have been previously classified by the Board of Film Censors (BFC) for commercial release. In addition, there will be a breakdown of the R21 videos purchased, meaning to say, the title, date and time in the monthly bill to allow the parents to know if their children have gained access to R21 content without their knowledge. Subscribers will also not be able to record the R21 VOD content that they have purchased.

StarHub and SingNet's VOD services are also not offered to corporate subscribers, which include places like coffee shops, community clubs and hospitals.

Our content regulatory standards will have to keep pace with the evolving media landscape and consumer demands. But I would like to assure the Member and Members of this House that in allowing for more content choices for our people, we will continue to safeguard our young, and we will not move ahead of what society is comfortable with.

There is a difference between R21 movies being screened in cinemas and open to the public and R21 movies being screened at home. Therefore, my question really is the tone that we are setting and whether the Minister would give the assurance that the tone, going forward, would protect the children and minors at home in light of these changes.

Sir, I thank the Member for the follow-up question. I share his concerns and understand what he is concerned about. I would say that, indeed, because of these concerns that was why the Ministry and MDA made sure that in taking this approach we had the safeguards in place.

Secondly, I would also take a step back and look, overall, at how we want to look at content regulation in Singapore. The Government would set some standards and I think it is the responsibility of the Government to set minimum standards for the reasons the Member has highlighted. But it is often better for the community to decide what these standards should be and that means that we would need input, we would need viewpoints and perspectives from the society. That is why, periodically, we have a Censorship Review Committee set up; it comprises representatives from a wide cross section of the society and they decide how far or how fast we should move or whether we should stay put or where the standards should be. In this case, the CRC had made a recommendation and we had looked at the recommendation, agreed to move, but we were very cautious. We calibrated the move with the very safeguard that I have outlined.

It is good that we have Members like Mr de Souza and other members of society who feel very concerned about content. Rightfully so, I would encourage Members who share these views to voice their concerns and to shape where the perspective of society is comfortable with in terms of content and in terms of where we should set our standards. The Ministry and MDA would only move our content regulatory standards insofar as society is comfortable with the balance. We would take the cue from the perspective of the community at large.

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