Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube continue to be integral channels of communications for MDA. Through these social media platforms, the public is kept updated on the local media scene through our sharing of industry news. During the year in review, fans of MDA's Facebook page were also treated to movie premieres such as The Last Tycoon and The Wedding Diary II through online contests held during the week of ScreenSingapore. MDA’s Facebook page has accumulated some 2,300 fans while the Twitter account has garnered close to 4,700 followers.

MDA uses social media platforms such as
Facebook to update the public on the
developments of the local media scene

Apart from industry news, MDA also uses social media platforms to keep the public abreast of new policies and updates, as well as to promote local talent and content. While the SGFilm Channel seeks to create awareness for Singapore short films and extend their reach to online platforms, the MDA YouTube channel presents a snapshot of the local industry and highlights of Singapore content across all media sectors including those offered at key international trade events and markets. Since 2011, MDA’s YouTube channel has attracted more than 225,000 video views for the 230 videos uploaded.

Consultation with committees

MDA works hand in hand with the community and the industry when reviewing content codes and guidelines to meet the changing needs and expectations of Singapore society. One of the ways is to seek feedback and guidance from citizen-based communities and focus groups. Members of these committees come from a cross-section of society, representing various age groups, races, religions and professions and they help provide input to MDA on content standards and guidelines, as well as suggest improvements to our regulatory frameworks.

There are currently eight consultative committees and two appeal committees. The eight are the Advisory Committee on Chinese Programmes, Programme Advisory Committee for English Programmes, Indian Programmes Advisory Committee, Malay Programmes Advisory Committee, Arts Consultative Panel, Publications Consultative Panel, Films Consultative Panel and the Political Films Consultative Committee.

In 2012, MDA sought the committees’ advice on content standards and the range and quality of broadcast programmes. MDA also sought the committees’ feedback on content harmonisation across various media and the standardisation of consumer advisories. The Publications Consultative Panel, Arts Consultative Panel and Films Consultative Panel were also consulted for content related to religion, sex, nudity, violence and race.

MDA is advised by the Films Consultative Panel (FCP) to ensure that its rating decisions, guidelines and policies reflect community standards

The two appeal committees for seeking recourse on MDA’s content decisions are the Broadcast, Publications and Arts Appeal Committee (BPAAC) and the Films Appeal Committee (FAC). In 2012, there were no appeals made to the BPAAC while the FAC received four appeals against MDA’s classification decisions.

The FAC upheld the Restricted 21 (R21) with edits classification decision by MDA for Dogtooth and Shame, agreeing that there was a need to respect community standards and values. It also cautioned against setting a precedent for allowing films with explicit sexual content which exceeded the R21 rating. Guided by the general policy governing dialect films, the FAC also upheld MDA’s decision to disallow the commercial exhibition of the Cantonese version of the Hong Kong film Love in the Buff.

On Sex.Violence.Family Values, the FAC decided to accord it with a R21 rating with edits after considering the grounds for the appeal, the producers' representations as well as views from MDA's advisory panels and interested members of the public. The film was previously given a Not Allowed for All Rating by MDA for its depiction of derogatory racial references.