MDDI's Response to PQ on Reviewing IMDA Policies on Chinese Dialect Film Screenings and Geographic Accessibility of Elderly Patrons, and Establishing a Dedicated Free-to-Air Radio Channel for Senior Citizens

Parliament Sitting on 7 July 2026

Question for Written Answer

44 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will consider reviewing its policies governing the theatrical exhibition of Chinese dialect films, including any restrictions that result in local original-language dialect films being accorded only limited screenings even as foreign-language films may be more widely exhibited; and (b) whether such policies remain aligned with Singapore's cultural heritage and ageing population objectives.

45 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information whether, where original-language dialect films are accorded only limited screenings, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will consider requiring that accessibility and geographic spread to be taken into account, so that elderly dialect-speaking patrons, including wheelchair users and their families, are not effectively denied access due to screenings being concentrated at a single venue or one with temporary accessibility constraints.

46 Dr Neo Kok Beng asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information whether the Ministry will consider reviewing its policy to permit a dedicated free-to-air radio channel to be set up for senior citizens that includes Chinese classics, evergreens and dialect songs.

Answer

My response will cover the questions raised by Mr Cai Yinzhou, Mr Gerald Giam, Mr Kenneth Tiong, Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Dennis Tan, Ms Valerie Lee, Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Dr Neo Kok Beng in today’s Order Paper, as well as related questions by Mr Darryl David and Ms Mariam Jaafar filed for subsequent sittings. If Members are satisfied with the response, they may wish to withdraw their questions after this session.

Guidelines on language use in media are implemented by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). They support the Government’s longstanding policy to promote Mandarin as one of four official languages and have generally served us well. However, as noted in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s (MCCY’s) earlier reply today, Singapore’s language environment has evolved. Recognising this, in implementing the guidelines, IMDA has exercised greater flexibility to allow more dialect content in films.

Each year, around 30 to 40 dialect films are screened at film festivals. At the same time, IMDA has allowed unrestricted screenings of films with substantial use of dialect such as “881”, “Long Long Time Ago” and “Wonderland”. For the film “Dear You”, IMDA has approved a total of 272 screenings of the Teochew version, and is prepared to approve additional screenings should the film distributor request them in response to audience demand.

Beyond these implementation changes, several Members have called for the guidelines themselves to be reviewed. We recognise that the circumstances have changed since these guidelines were first introduced. There is therefore scope to consider how we can expand the space for dialects, while continuing to uphold the importance of Mandarin. In doing so, we should also take into account the different media platforms. For example, there are no dialect restrictions for arts performances or content available on the internet and online streaming services. On free-to-air television and radio, we believe that Mandarin should continue to be the mainstay. For cinemas, we are prepared to allow more screenings of dialect-language films, so as to provide audiences with greater access to such content. We appreciate the feedback from Members and will carefully consider what further steps are appropriate.