Telecast Times of World Wrestling Entertainment Programmes

Dr Lam Pin Min asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts whether he will consider banning the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) programmes or rescheduling the telecast times of these programmes to later timeslots to allay concerns of negative influences that the WWE may have on young children.

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: We understand the concerns some viewers, especially parents, may have about the influence of wrestling programmes on the young. Banning such programmes on television may not be the answer as there are adults who might want to watch such programmes. A better solution is appropriate scheduling on television.

Broadcasters are guided by MDA's programme codes. The codes address concerns such as national interest, racial and religious harmony, social and moral values, as well as protection of the young. For free-to-air TV, broadcasters are also required to ensure that programmes unsuitable for children be shown after family viewing hours, that is, from 10.00 pm onwards, with appropriate ratings and advisories to inform viewers of the programmes' content.

MediaCorp recently scheduled the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Experience at 11.00 pm on Channel 5. In addition, some episodes were rated PG with an advisory of "violence".

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