TELEVISION PROGRAMMES

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Information and the Arts if he will consider regulating television programmes so that up to 10.00 pm each night, we only receive family sensitive programmes and trailers without unacceptable violence, sex or other negative family values

BG George Yong-Boon Yeo: The Singapore Broadcasting Authority sets guidelines for the broadcast of programmes suitable for the family. The SBA's current watershed separating family-type programmes and other programmes is 9.30 pm. Up to 9.30 pm, TV fare must be wholesome and suitable for the whole family. No PG programmes will be allowed within family-viewing hours as such programmes may require parental guidance. When PG-rated movies, including trailers are shown, they must be shown with indicators. Such indicators are also required on TV programmes publicised in the newspapers and other publications so that parents can guide their children's viewing choice.

Our broadcasters are aware of their responsibility to promote family values. They have been careful in their scheduling of programmes. For example, programmes for adult audiences, like horror movies, are scheduled in the late part of the evenings and judiciously spaced out.