TV AND RADIO (Use of dialects)

Mr Seng Han Thong asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) how effective has been the use of dialects on TV and radio in communication with the public during the SARS epidemic; and (b) what is the policy on the use of dialects on TV and radio in future emergencies where the audience is more conversant in dialects.

The Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (Dr Lee Boon Yang): Mr Speaker, Sir, during the SARS outbreak, dialects were used on TV and radio to reach out to those older Chinese Singaporeans who are more conversant in dialects than Mandarin. It was a practical approach as, like many of us, the elderly also need to be equipped with the knowledge on precautionary measures in order to protect themselves from SARS. I am glad that the dialect broadcast had achieved its purpose. Feedback from the public had been generally positive, and a vast majority of the dialect-speaking Chinese who were surveyed said that they had listened to the SARS messages in dialect on TV and radio.

Sir, we recognise that there are pockets of older Singaporeans who remain conversant only in dialects. When the need arises in future emergencies, the Government will use dialects to communicate with them. However, our stand is that we will continue to actively promote the use of Mandarin, and to use dialect only as an exception.