“Why does the Singapore Government restrict the broadcasting of Chinese dialects in the mass media?”
Mass media content comes under the purview of the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Broadcasters have to ensure that their programmes are in line with the authority’s content guidelines, which are stricter for free-to-air media because they are easily accessible by almost everyone.
Under the Free-To-Air Television Programme Code and Free-To-Air Radio Programme Code, it is stated that all Chinese programmes, except operas or other programmes specifically approved, must be in Mandarin.
Dialects in dialogues and songs may be allowed, provided the context justifies usage and is “sparingly used”.
Other exceptions include news, current affairs and info-educational programmes where interviews are given by older people or foreigners who are conversant only in dialect. Some dialect terms such as those used for food, for example, char kway teow, may be used in local dramas.
Under the Board of Film Censors’ Classification Guidelines, the reason for this is spelt out.
“Films with dialect content are allowed on a case-by-case basis. Chinese films meant for theatrical release should generally be in Mandarin, in line with the Speak Mandarin Campaign.”
This was launched in 1979 with the objective of replacing dialects with Mandarin among Chinese Singaporeans. The use of dialects is seen as fundamentally undermining the spread of Mandarin.
In recent years though, there appears to be a loosening of restrictions on the use of dialect on free-to-air television.
The 10-episode Hokkien drama Jiak Ba Buay (Eat Already?) last year was reportedly the first dialect series aired in Singapore since 1979. It was a collaboration between Mediacorp and the Ministry of Communications and Information that was aimed at conveying government policies, such as MediShield Life, to senior citizens who may not be as comfortable in Mandarin. The third season of the show is currently airing on Channel 8 until Oct 27.
Also last year, variety series Happy Can Already! took on topics from SkillsFuture to retirement in songs and skits in a mix of Hokkien, Cantonese and Teochew. The second season ended its run in July.
IMDA says, though, that there is no change to the Government’s dialect policy for mass media. “Dialect broadcasts are not new; we have always had them for older Chinese Singaporeans.”
The authority notes that dialect content remains available on various platforms.
On radio, Mediacorp’s Capital 95.8FM offers daily morning news bulletins in dialects such as Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Hainanese, Foochow and Hakka.
On free-to-air TV, Channel 8 broadcasts dialect operas on Friday mornings as well as MediShield and Pioneer Generation Package interstitials in dialect.
There is also flexibility for okto channel to screen art-house films with dialect content.
In addition, pay-TV operators offer channels with dialect content such as StarHub’s TVBJ (Cantonese) and Singtel’s Jia Le Channel (Hokkien), and also carry dialect titles on its video-on-demand services.
There are no restrictions on the sale and distribution of dialect videos and music albums, as well as on outdoor and theatrical performances and events.
(ST)

Once upon a time, there was a well-liked and well-regarded actress. But one day, she pulled an I’m-retiring-no-lah-I’m-not stunt on social media and was faced with a barrage of criticism.
The moral of the story though is not that obvious.
The announcement by MediaCorp actress Rebecca Lim was a bolt out of the blue and it appeared on her Instagram account on Feb 12 morning. It has since been removed but here is the contentious text which accompanied a picture of her smiling with a sparkler in hand: “Hi everyone. I’ve decided to do something that will change my life. I have been thinking about it for a while now as I know it has to be done. I’m all set, and I’m retiring. I know you have questions for me and I will answer them real soon. Meanwhile, be happy for me.”
It seemed like a genuine post and her fans were soon leaving messages of support while others expressed how they felt with strings of broken heart emojis.
Ten hours later, over a telephone conference call, she revealed that she was not in fact retiring and this was merely an advertisement for an insurance company.
She said: “I feel sorry for any misunderstanding that is being caused. Unfortunately, there are many people who have misinterpreted or misunderstood... I don’t think I’m making use of the media. I’m just trying to maximise my reach as a celebrity.”
Really? Misinterpretation? Misunderstanding?
She is plainly being disingenuous as the wording was deliberately misleading.
When the Instagram post first surfaced, a few of us had debated what else she could have meant by “retiring”. Perhaps she was “retiring” to bed with confetti and sparklers, fulfilling a long-cherished fantasy and hence wanted us to be happy for her.
But then the wording seemed sincere, and if so, this was big news for one of the brightest stars on both Channel 8 and Channel 5 to suddenly up and quit.
So we tried to verify with MediaCorp and Lim herself on the contents of the post on Feb 12. And we were consistently stonewalled.
MediaCorp’s artist managers replied with the same holding line: “Thank you for your concern about Rebecca. She will have answers to your questions soon.” Artists could not be reached for comment as they were “filming”. (In case “filming” means something different in their book the way “retiring” does.)
Lim herself promised to update “as soon as I can” but when asked specifically if it was a publicity stunt, silence.
Ten hours after the post went up, she said “sorry for any misunderstanding” – which felt a little like “sorry you were gullible” – but this was something she had the opportunity to clear up at any point, certainly when asked point blank.
Her claim of “I felt it was my responsibility to clear the air immediately” rings hollow. As it was, the revelation came too late for us as Life had already gone to print.
One can only conclude that the “misunderstanding” – the numerous online reports of her retirement flaming further curiosity – was exactly the effect intended.
Meanwhile, “sorry” seems to be the hardest word as both Lim and the insurance firm in question have stopped short of apologising for stringing fans and the media along.
She had asked her supporters to be happy for her and then all those well wishes were cavalierly crumpled and tossed into the bin. In the video posted to her Facebook account at 10.39pm on Feb 12, she looks way too chipper and incredibly enough, is still trying to peddle insurance.
So what are the lessons here?
Thou shall not use social media as an advertising platform? The ship has long since sailed on that front as bloggers and celebs hawk products with big smiles and personal discount codes.
But advertisements in newspapers, on television and over the radio have to be clearly indicated as such. Perhaps it is time for such a code of conduct to be extended to social media platforms as such Instagram and Facebook which are also used to shill products. Lim herself had previously used Instagram to sing the praises of nutritional supplements and skincare products in what were, without a doubt, paid endorsements. So clearly, she knows where the line is.
That your popularity will take a hit when you pull a stunt like this? In fact, Lim’s followers on Instagram have edged up from 229,000 on late Feb 12 night to 230,000 on Feb 16, proving the cynical aphorism that there is no such thing as bad publicity.
What is also true is that her credibility has taken a hit, even if that is harder to put a number on.
And there is also a lesson for everyone else, never take at face value what a celeb says. It turns out that a social media account is a fairy tale too and fairy tales have to be taken with a pinch of salt and a dose of reality check.
(edited on ST)