Daily Lessons from Life 23 August 2014 - Proposal for self-classification dropped by MDA

"Proposal for self-classification dropped by MDA - The Straits Times Aug 23, 2014

The Media Development Authority (MDA) is dropping a controversial scheme that would have allowed arts groups to give age-appropriate ratings to their own works in line with the authority's classification code.

This comes after arts groups strongly opposed the Arts Term Licensing Scheme when the MDA launched a public consultation exercise on May 12. Artists' network Arts Engage released a position paper detailing its objections on May 30, signed by at least 45 groups.

The MDA will continue to assess each production from its 80 active licensees, including arts groups and event organisers, and give them advisories or ratings. Amendments to the Act, to be tabled in Parliament at an unspecified date, include licensing virtual performances the same way as a live event at the same location, and allowing the MDA to investigate arts entertainment breaches instead of subjecting organisers to police action.

On arts term licensing, Ms Koh Lin-Net, chief executive of MDA, said: "One difference was over the current "Not Allowed For All Ratings" category, effectively a ban, which arts groups disagree with. Artists also wanted to be given autonomy in their application of classification guidelines, and took issue with the penalties for "misclassification". "

In its closing statement, the MDA said "classification guidelines need to reflect the social sentiments of the wider community, which may at times run counter to the views of some arts groups".

Former Arts Nominated MP Janice Koh called the process of engagement between the MDA and artists a "new normal". "It is probably the first time we've had such in-depth discussions on the topic of arts regulation." She hoped the MDA would conduct a more focused survey of arts audiences and their expectations of ratings and advisories."

Art making is NOT a mainstream business and commercial activity of Singapore yet despite many attempts to try to build it up and with some serious money behind it.

Lessons for me are:

1. interesting to learn that the arts groups DECIDED NOT to take up self-censorship. This DOES NOT make sense UNLESS the penalties for 'misclassification' is crippling. Which might be the case since the 'concern for the penalties for misclassification' was one of the major differences raised. This is understandable given that the artists are already working under a 'passion more than monetary rewards' that powered whatever endeavours they are undertaking, for now anyway!;

2. so it is back to the 'red tape jungle' of having to send their performances to MDA to be classified before they can carry out the acts. If that is the 'price' the arts community feel is the 'right price' to pay to keep them out of trouble, so be it. It also, in some way, signalled to an outsider like me that perhaps we will not be facing too many controversial productions in Singapore for a while. Yes?;

3. whatever it is, it is a victory of sort for public-private collaboration as MDA has backed down from insisting that their original draft should just be pushed through. Like the former NMP for Arts said: This is a NEW Normal. It cannot be bad unless the MDA is just peddling to appease any 'dissenting voices' to keep the harmony. If this is the case, it is a false harmony as the hard questions and issues sometimes just need to tackle heads on. Grab the bull by its horns and wrestle with them. Hopefully it is a good NEW NORMAL and we will have more real and meaningful two way public-private dialogue ahead on other policies.