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Source:
www.mda.gov.sg |
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PACE urges broadcasters to stay relevant amidst
rise in media literacy levels |
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The Programme Advisory Committee for English
Programmes (PACE) today released its report for the period 1 August 2005
to 31 July 2007. |
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In its report, the Committee was pleased to
observe that there was increased public feedback on programme content
standards. |
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Chairman of PACE, Prof Leo Tan commented:
"It is heartening to note the increase in public involvement as
Singaporeans are becoming more proactive in evaluating broadcast
programmes and having a voice in content standards. Broadcasters will
need to stay closely in tune with public needs when planning their
programming line-up." |
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On the range and standards of TV programmes
provided, the Committee was generally satisfied that the broadcasters
have heeded the call for more innovative and quality programmes ¨C both
local as well as acquired ones. |
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In recommending the areas for further
improvement, PACE noted that vacant timeslots left when a programme
series ends are still repeatedly filled with the same type of slapstick
programming like Mr Bean and Just for Laughs. |
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The Committee found the quality of local
children¡¯s programmes such as Bring Your Toothbrush and Groom My Room
Too to be both entertaining and educational. |
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To promote an interest in Current
Affairs amongst children, the Committee recommended that the range
of Children¡¯s programmes be widened to include content from this
genre, such as specially tailored News and Current Affairs
programmes as well as programmes that promote National Education. |
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The Committee applauded MediaCorp TV
for working with schools to involve youths in the revamped debate
programme The Arena. However, the Committee noted that there is
still a lack of quality programmes that address the issues which
youths face, and those that cater to children aged eight to 12
years old. |
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For Entertainment programmes, the
Committee noted that broadcasters have generally refrained from
the use of Singlish, following its advice to improve the standard
of English in local sitcoms and dramas. |
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The Committee further noted that there
have been attempts to move away from the slapstick, mass
entertainment sitcom format to local dramas such as Parental
Guidance and After Hours. |
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PACE also commended MediaCorp TV
Channel 5¡¯s efforts in calling for script submission from the
public for Phua Chu Kang skits, thereby offering the public an
opportunity to play an active role in contributing content. |
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The Committee advised the broadcasters
to exercise discretion in gag programmes such as Gotcha as well as
caution when trailing programmes with horror or mature themes
which could be disturbing for children. |
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The Committee continued to urge Arts
Central not to lose sight of its focus as an Arts-dedicated
channel and advised that alternative niche programmes should not
be offered at the expense of Arts and Cultural content. |
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The Committee also recommended that
Arts programmes on Arts Central be accessible in the early evening
and cross-promoted on other channels and mediums to generate
greater awareness. It also urged Arts Central to widen its
programme range to include more documentaries with arts as a
theme. |
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During the year in review, the
Committee was pleased to see marked improvement in Channel
NewsAsia¡¯s timeliness in reporting breaking news, ahead of other
news channels like CNN and BBC. |
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In addition, its efforts to bring in
quality documentaries through its "Documentary of the Week"
specials were commended for adding to the programming variety on
the channel while retaining its branding of a news and information
channel. |
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The Committee recommended
incorporating quality acquired news documentaries such as 60
Minutes and Panorama, as well as local Current Affairs programmes
that discuss hot topics in-depth such as global warming, and
documentaries on Singapore¡¯s history and heritage. |
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For Sports programmes, the Committee
noticed that MediaCorp has made notable efforts to provide live
coverage of local athletes in action during the coverage of Asian
Games and Commonwealth Games. |
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However, members observed that there
continues to be little media coverage on disability sports. With a
strong likelihood of first medal hopes for Singapore¡¯s
participation at the Paralympics Games in Beijing 2008, the
Committee urged the free-to-air channels to provide coverage of
the event. |
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To raise awareness and viewership for
local sports events as well as those at school level, the
Committee continued to urge broadcasters to provide regular sports
programmes. |
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Noting the high viewing interest in
international sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and the
English Premiere League (EPL) which Starhub has exclusive telecast
rights to, the Committee urged the broadcasters to work together
to provide public access to as much coverage of these events as
possible on free-to-air channels. |
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The Committee continued to note that
the range of English programmes catering to the elderly is lacking
and there does not seem to be any channel which has made specific
attempts to tailor its programming to cater to the needs of this
age group. |
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The Committee urged the broadcasters
to be mindful of an increasingly sophisticated elderly population
in Singapore and to provide quality programmes that will meet the
viewing interests of this audience segment, such as programmes
which address issues faced by the elderly. |
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In general, the Committee was
satisfied with the range and quality of Radio programmes to cater
to the diverse interests of listeners. |
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It applauded MediaCorp Radio for its
efforts to promote sports on air in the form of the sports
programme, Sports Zone and Sports Wrap (sports updates), both of
which are carried on 938LIVE and hoped that TV would do the same
in promoting sports. |
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The Committee noted that Lush 99.5¡¯s
programming has improved with the station¡¯s offering of a wider
variety of music as well as more features on the local arts scene. |
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The Committee urged all radio
broadcasters to continue to abide by the Radio Programme Code on
the treatment of sensitive and sex-related topics. |
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Recommendations from the Committee
included a clear distinction between 'live talk' on air and
advertisements, as well as longer stretches of music play with
interruptions only for informative commentaries. |
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Moving forward, PACE continued to
encourage broadcasters on traditional platforms like TV and radio
to air unique and quality programmes, and also consider leveraging
new media by offering local content that resonates well with the
public on alternative platforms like podcasts or broadband TV
(e.g. MOBTV). |
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In addition, the Committee hoped to
see the availability of more quality programmes for the two
demographic groups - the youths and elderly. |
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View the full 11th PACE report |
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About the Media Development
Authority of Singapore (MDA) |
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The Media Development Authority of
Singapore (MDA) was formed on 1 January 2003 to champion Media 21,
a blueprint to transform Singapore into a global media city. Media
21 seeks to create a vibrant media environment by establishing
Singapore as a media exchange, exporting Made-by-Singapore
content, internationalising local media companies, nurturing local
media talent and developing digital media. MDA also performs a
regulatory function in managing content to protect core values and
safeguard consumer interest. More information on MDA can be found
on www.mda.gov.sg. |
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About PACE |
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The PACE is a 33-member committee
which advises the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
on the range and quality of English TV and Radio programmes and
gives suggestions for their improvement. Chaired by Prof Leo Tan,
Professor, Natural Sciences & Science Education of National
Institute of Education, the Committee also provides feedback on
the Code of Practice which broadcasters observe. |
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Source:
www.mda.gov.sg News Release 30
Jul 2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Wed 8 August 2007
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