SINGAPORE BROADCASTING CORPORATION (Local programmes)

Mr Liew Kok Pun asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture whether the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation has any plan to produce more and better local programmes that will reflect the lifestyle and aspirations of our people, and if he will outline the plan.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, it has always been SBC's objective to produce programmes that will reflect the lifestyle and aspirations of our people and inculcate those values that will contribute to our progress and stability. There is relatively little problem in the production of information programmes, such as documentaries, current affairs magazines and some children's programmes. But the production of television drama, which is a very effective instrument in conveying values and influencing behaviour, is an entirely different matter. Our,population is too small for us to have a significant number of creative and artistic talent that are needed to produce good dramas. SBC's policy has varied with the language of broadcast. In the case of English, SBC has wisely not tried to produce dramas. In this area, the approach has been to select carefully programmes from the English speaking countries. Malay and Tamil drama requirements are being met with our present resources. The quality of these is being improved with the help of trainers from abroad.

In terms of the size of viewership for SBC's programmes, Chinese programmes account for the top 10 programmes. SBC, therefore, needs to pay the greatest attention to the content of the Chinese programmes. SBC has depended on dramas produced in Hong Kong and Taiwan. It is unwise to continue to depend entirely on these sources because these foreign productions do not truly reflect our lifestyle, values and aspirations. But the creative talent, that is, scriptwriters, directors and producers, and the artistic talent are found in Hong Kong and Taiwan which have a larger population and an established film industry. We can use the talent in these countries by recruiting and employing them. As long as the themes, treatment and scripts of dramas are guided by Singaporeans with a clear idea of the values and attitudes we want to encourage, such foreign talent can be used effectively. This is what SBC is planning to do.

About 20 experienced drama producers, scriptwriters and programme researchers have been engaged from Hong Kong and Taiwan. SBC is engaging full-time local drama performers and giving them intensive training. Past experience has shown that reliance on part-time amateur talent will not improve quality.

Production facilities are being augmented. Funds have already been pro- vided by the Ministry of Finance for the construction of a large television studio with the full complement of equipment needed for more sophisticated drama productions.

Within the next few years, SBC will be in a better position to produce local dramas of an acceptable quality and number.

Similar efforts are also being made to improve other categories of programmes like Musical Variety programmes and Children's programmes.