VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS (Charity shows over television and radio)

VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS

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(Charity shows over television and radio): **

1.

Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what are the specific requirements and criteria, besides good taste and decency, that a charity body or voluntary welfare organisation has to satisfy before it is allowed to carry out a large-scale fund-raising charity show over the television and radio media; and (b) whether charity bodies have to submit a statement of their financial standing for the relevant authorities to assess if they have a genuine need to carry out such charity shows and, if so, (i) which are the relevant authorities that assess the needs of these applications to determine if the applicants are genuinely in need of funds; and (ii) what are the criteria in this assessment.

Mr Lee Hsien Loong: Charitable organisations that conduct fund-raising shows over television or radio must observe standards of good taste and decency. The Media Development Authority also provides advice to broadcasters based on feedback from MDA's advisory committees and the general public. For example, MDA has advised broadcasters not to make artistes perform overly dangerous stunts to improve ratings or donations, after receiving public feedback questioning the necessity of such dangerous stunts.

There are no specific requirements or criteria that charitable organisations have to satisfy before they are allowed to carry out public fund-raising appeals for local charitable causes, be it through a charity TV show or otherwise. Different charities have different needs. Detailed rules or requirements will mean unnecessary bureaucracy. The Government's approach is to advocate informed giving with donors being discerning in their giving, and charitable organisations having to disclose their finances, programmes and performance in order to attract donations.

Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs), which are allowed to receive tax-deductible donations under the Income Tax Act, are required to post online their key financial information, including a breakdown of annual income, annual expenses, assets, funds and liabilities. The Charities Act allows interested parties to get from charities, by request, a copy of their most recent accounts. Potential donors can use these avenues to assess how much they wish to support particular charitable organisations.

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