The Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts will soon appoint an independent Censorship Review Committee (CRC) to conduct a mid-term review of content issues across the spectrum of broadcast, films, videos, publications, audio materials, the arts and new media. 

 

2          Previous CRC reviews were held every 10 years to look at content issues extensively and comprehensively.  The last review was done about six years ago. The conduct of a review at a shorter interval will enable MICA and the Media Development Authority (MDA) to respond in a more timely manner to content issues arising out of the rapidly-changing media environment and societal changes.   

 

3          The mid-term CRC review will look largely at issues that have been raised by the industry players during their regular dialogues with MDA and from community feedback. These include the fine-tuning of current film and video classifications; sale and distribution of videos; and content issues related to entertainment and lifestyle publications.  The committee will also look at the implications of the convergence of multiple media platforms on content.  In addition, the CRC will examine other content issues that may arise from its deliberations during the review process.     

 

4          MICA will announce the Chairman and members of the CRC as well as the terms of reference for the committee at a later date.  The CRC is expected to start work in the third quarter of the year and complete its review by mid 2010.   

 

Issued by

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

21 MAY 2009