Media classifications in Singapore

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List of media classifications used in Singapore

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Media classification in Singapore is currently administered by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). All forms of media, including films, TV programs, video games, and theatrical productions, must receive an age classification before widespread distribution.

## Background[edit]

See also: Media censorship in Singapore § History

Prior to 1991, the Singaporean government did not have an official classification system. Instead, works were either unconditionally allowed, partially censored, or completely banned. Starting from June 1991, the Media Development Authority (MDA) instituted a ratings system with 3 ratings – General Audience (G), Parental Guidance (PG), and Restricted 18 (R18).[1] Over the years, new ratings have been added and modified, and the current system as of 2022 now has 6 possible classifications.[1] In 2016, the MDA and the Infocomm Development Authority were merged together[2] – as the successor of the merged authorities, the IMDA is the current regulator.

## Classifications[edit]

There are classification systems for the following types of media: films, TV programs, video games, and arts entertainment (e.g., theatrical productions).

### Films and TV[edit]

Films and TV programs both use the same rating system. Free-to-air TV content must also adhere to additional restrictions, as outlined in Section 5 of the Content Code.

Rating  | Badge  | Alternate badge  | Notes[3]

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General (G) |  |  | Suitable for persons of all ages.
Parental Guidance (PG) |  |  | Suitable for persons of all ages, but parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers. This rating is merely an advisory, and is not legally enforced - however, film distributors and TV providers must prominently display this rating in marketing and/or at the start of the program.
Parental Guidance for Children Under 13 (PG13) |  |  | Parental guidance is advised for those under the age of 13 years old. This is also an advisory rating, similar to PG. Content that carries this rating or higher must also provide consumer advice as to why it received this rating, e.g 'Violence', 'Language', or 'Horror'.

Free-to-air (FTA) TV networks may only show content at this rating or lower, and can only air PG13 content between 10PM and 6AM.[4] Advertisements for films with this rating cannot be shown where a child may inadvertently be exposed to them (e.g on video walls).[3]

No Children Under 16 (NC16) |  |  | Restricted to persons aged 16 or above. This is a legally enforced rating - patrons who watch a film with this rating or higher must present photo identification.[3][5]

Pay TV and video-on-demand (VOD) operators must adhere to several restrictions in order to ensure that a child is not inadvertently exposed to rated content. They are required to offer a 'parental lock' feature, which restricts NC16 and M18 content with a PIN code. Pay TV operators must also ensure that promotional material for rated content is "edited and scheduled appropriately."[4]

Mature 18 (M18) |  |  | Restricted to persons aged 18 or above. Similar to NC16, photo identification is required when watching a rated film in a cinema.

Pay TV operators are only allowed to air content with this rating or lower.

Restricted 21 (R21) |  |  | Restricted to persons aged 21 or above. This is the highest rating in the current classification system - like NC16 and M18, this is also legally enforced.

Pay TV operators are not allowed to air content with this rating, and VOD operators must offer a separate PIN lock for R21 content as a default. Advertisements for R21-rated content can only appear in venues licensed for R21 films, and/or at the start of another R21-rated movie.

Not Approved for Release (NAR) |  |  | Denotes content that was not approved for release in Singapore under any classification. This is not an official rating under the current system, but was formerly used by the MDA to denote films that were refused classification, and it is now used as semi-official descriptor today.

Many films that the IMDA refused to classify were restricted because of concerns that they might "undermine the public order". For example, the film To Singapore, With Love, which documented former political dissidents in Singapore, was refused classification, as the MDA believed it was one-sided and "undermined national security".[6]

### Video games[edit]

Following a controversy in November 2007, in which the government banned the video game Mass Effect,[7] and then unbanned it a day later,[8] over concerns that the game featured homosexuality, the IMDA announced that it would create a new classification system for games in early 2008.[9] Therefore, starting from April 2008, video games that were sold in Singapore were required to undergo classification.

As of 2022, there are 2 ratings in the classification system. Games only need to be classified if they are physically sold in Singapore - however, some digital storefronts like Steam may display the IMDA rating to Singaporean users if one is present.

Rating  | Full Badge  | Icon  | Notes

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Advisory 16(ADV16) |  |  | Suitable for individuals who are at least 16 years old. Unlike the NC16 rating, this is an advisory rating, and is not legally enforced.
Mature 18(M18) | No official badge after July 2021  |  | Restricted to individuals who are at least 18 years old. This is a legally enforced restriction, and customers who attempt to purchase these games must present photo identification. Prior to July 2021, the distributor needed to purchase official labels from IMDA - today, distributors can simply self-print the labels.

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Films". Infocomm Media Development Authority. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
2. ^ Kok Fai, Loke (2016-08-16). "Parliament passes Info-communications Media Development Authority Bill - Channel NewsAsia". Channel NewsAsia. Mediacorp. Archived from the original on 2016-08-26. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
3. ^ a b c "FILM CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES" (PDF). IMDA.gov.sg. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
4. ^ a b "Television and Radio". Infocomm Media Development Authority. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
5. ^ "Golden Village - Frequently Asked questions". www.gv.com.sg. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
6. ^ Mohktar, Faris (2014-09-11). "Tan Pin Pin's film To Singapore, With Love not to be shown in public". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16.
7. ^ Boyes, Emma (2007-11-15). "Singapore bans Mass Effect". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
8. ^ Boyes, Emma (2007-11-16). "Singapore unbans Mass Effect". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
9. ^ Leung, Wai-Leng (2007-11-17). "MDA lifts ban on game with same-sex love scene". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2023-03-02.