Media Development Authority (MDA) Content Guidelines for Imported Publications (2009)

CONTENT GUIDELINES FOR IMPORTED PUBLICATIONS (2009)

=PREAMBLE=

1 Content regulation  for  imported  publications  aims to  reflect community standards  while  ensuring  that  due consideration  is  given to artistic and  educational  merits of  the  publication. The purpose  of the  content  guidelines is  to  protect  the  young  while  allowing  greater choice for adults. =GENERAL PRINCIPLES=

1 Publications should not undermine national interest, public security or public confidence in the law and its enforcement in Singapore.

2 Content related to race and religion should not denigrate, offend the sensitivities of,  or  incite  intolerance  or misunderstanding  among  the main racial and religious groups in Singapore.

3 Publications that  encourage,  promote  or  glamorise  sexually permissive and alternative lifestyles and deviant sexual practices are generally not allowed.

4 Nudity and descriptions and depictions of sexual activity should not be excessive or exploitative.

5 Excessive or sexually-explicit coarse language is disallowed but some leeway is given for books.

6 Crime, violence and other anti-social behaviour must not be promoted. 7 Drug abuse must not be promoted.

8 Teens and young persons should be protected from content likely to harm or disturb them.

9 Cover pages of publications should be appropriate for  public display so as  to  protect  young  persons  from  unsuitable  material  and  adults from exposure to unsolicited material that they may find offensive.

=CONTENT GUIDELINES=

1 The following genres of publications may contain sensitive content or target the young, which require greater responsibility on the part of importers and retailers. Detailed guidelines are provided to guide importers and retailers in self-regulation.

Teen Magazines

Sex & Massage Manuals

Erotic Fiction Page

Art Publications

Religious Publications

Publications on  Martial  Arts  &  Topics  of Violence

Calendars and Posters

Adult-interest Lifestyle Magazines

Comics

Glossary

Consumer Advice

Restricted Publications Scheme

Investigation of Breaches

Appeals

=TEEN MAGAZINES=

1 Teen magazines  are  widely  read  by  teenagers  and  as  such  the content should be suitable for a young reader.

Cover Page
2 Cover pages must be wholesome both in terms of visuals and text.

Sex
3 Sex education  as  a  topic  can  be  featured  but  the  articles  and interviews should  be  written  in  an  educational  and  responsible manner. Instructions on  sexual  techniques  and  sex  positions  should not be  featured  and  articles  should  also  not  promote  sexually permissive or promiscuous lifestyles.

4 Articles and  columns  on  sexual content  should  not  be  too  detailed and explicit.

5 Pictures and  illustrations of  sex  or  other  sexual  activities  are  not allowed.

Sexually Permissive & Alternative Lifestyles
6 Teen publications  should  not  encourage  or  promote  sexually permissive and alternative lifestyles e.g. group sex and sexual activity involving persons of the same gender.

7 Pictures and  illustrations  of  sexually  permissive  lifestyles  and alternative lifestyles must not be featured.

Deviant Sexual Activity
8 Teen publications  should  not  encourage  or  promote  deviant  sexual practices.

9 Pictures and  illustrations of  deviant  sexual  activity  must  not  be featured e.g. paedophilia, bestiality and fetishes such as bondage.

Nudity
10 Models in  sexually  suggestive  poses  or  see-through  clothes  should not be featured.

11 Nudity in teen publications is not allowed.

Language
12 Coarse language is not allowed.

Crime and Violence
13 Crime, violence and other anti-social behaviour must not be promoted.

14 Graphic descriptions and depictions of violence, torture and gore are not allowed.

Drug Use
15 Drug abuse should not be encouraged.

16 Descriptions or  depictions  of  drugs  and  the  side  effects  of  drug  use may be featured in the context of an educational article discouraging drug abuse. However detailed  illustrations  or  instructions  of  drug abuse such  as  the  process  of  making  and  administering  drug,  and interviews describing, glamorising and promoting drug abuse are not allowed.

=SEX & MASSAGE MANUALS=

1 Sex manuals  contain  instructions  on  sexual  techniques  and  are intended to enhance the reader's sexual life.

2 Covers should be appropriate for public display and must not feature nudity, sexual positions or sexually-explicit text.

3 Sex manuals  may  contain  depictions  of  nudity  and  sexual  positions and deal purely with the subject of sex. However, genitalia should not be exposed.

4 Massage manuals are held to the same standards as sex manuals as they may contain instructions and illustrations in the use of massage techniques for erotic purposes.

Sex
5 As sex manuals are mainly intended to be instructional, descriptions and depictions of sex should not be exploitative or excessive.

Sexually Permissive & Alternative Lifestyles
6 Sex manuals  should  not  contain  descriptions  and  depictions  of sexually  permissive  and  alternative  lifestyles  e.g.  sexual  activity involving persons of the same gender and partner swapping or group sex.

Deviant Sexual Activity
7 Sex manuals  should  not  contain  descriptions  and  depictions  of deviant sexual practices e.g. paedophilia, bestiality and fetishes such as bondage.

Conditions of sale
8 Due to  the  adult  nature  of  sex  manuals,  these  publications  should carry consumer  advice and  are  to  be  placed  under  the  Restricted Publications Scheme  i.e.  no  promotion  through  advertising,  active marketing and  prominent  display (Please  refer  to  K.  Conditions  of Sale and L. Restricted Publications Scheme for details).

=EROTIC FICTION=

1 Erotic fiction refers to fiction that deals with sex.

2 Covers should be appropriate for public display and must not feature nudity, sexual positions or sexually-explicit text.

Sex
3 Descriptions of sex should not be exploitative or excessive.

Sexually Permissive & Alternative Lifestyles
4 Erotic fiction should  not  contain  descriptions  and  depictions  of sexually  permissive  and alternative  lifestyles  e.g.  sexual  activity involving persons of the same gender and partner swapping or group sex.

Deviant Sexual Activity
5 Erotic fiction  should  not  promote  or  glamorise deviant  sexual practices e.g. paedophilia, bestiality and fetishes such as bondage.

Conditions of sale
6 Due to  the  adult  nature  of  erotic  fiction,  these  publications  should carry consumer  advice and  are  to  be  placed  under  the  Restricted Publications Scheme  i.e.  no  promotion  through  advertising,  active marketing and prominent  display. (Please refer to  K.  Conditions  of Sale and L. Restricted Publications Scheme for details).

=ART PUBLICATIONS=

1 Art publications refer to publications dealing with art forms in print e.g. paintings, figure-drawings,  design  and  photography. They generally consist wholly or partly of illustrations and photographs.

2 Art publications are given more flexibility if there is artistic merit. The degree of  realism, treatment  and  presentation  of  content  are  other factors which are considered.

Sex
3 Depictions of  sex  should  be  tastefully done  and  not  exploitative  or excessive.

Sexually Permissive & Alternative Lifestyles
4 Art publications should not contain  depictions  of  sexually permissive and alternative lifestyles  e.g.  sexual activity  involving  persons  of  the same gender and partner swapping or group sex.

Deviant Sexual Activity
5 Art publications  should  not  promote  or  glamorise  deviant  sexual practices e.g. paedophilia, bestiality and fetishes such as bondage.

Nudity
6 Depictions of full frontal nudity may be allowed if it is tastefully done, and not excessive or explicit.

Conditions of sale
7 Art publications with stronger nudity elements should carry consumer advice and are  to  be  placed  under  the  Restricted  Publications Scheme i.e.  no  promotion  through  advertising,  active  marketing  and prominent display. (Please refer  to  K.  Conditions  of  Sale  and  L. Restricted Publications Scheme for details).

=RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS=

1 Religious publications  should  not  undermine  racial  and religious harmony in Singapore.

2 Publications that denigrate or offend the sensitivities of  any  racial  or religious group are not allowed. However, debates on and expositions of theological  differences  between  different  religions  or  between denominations and  sects  of  the  same  religion  are  allowed provided they do not denigrate or attack the faiths that are being compared.

3 Religious tracts, such as handouts, leaflets, and brochures, have the potential to  offend  religious  sensitivities  on  a  large  scale  because they can be freely distributed to the public. As such, they are treated more stringently.

4 The following are disallowed:

(i) Publications that promote the teachings of the Church of Satan

(ii) Publications by cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Unification Church (Moonies), Children  of  God (New World  Vision, Family Love) and Church of Scientology.

(iii) Publications that promote hatred and enmity against other racial and religious groups.

(iv) Religious publications  that  encourage  revolt  against  the establishment and the government.

(v) Publications that glorify, promote or justify acts of violence as a religious duty.

(vi) Publications written  by  those  who  subscribe  to  and  embrace terrorist ideologies.

(vii) Portrayals of religious beliefs, figures and practices which could be regarded as irreverent by religious groups.

(viii) Illustrations/visuals of Prophet Muhammad.

(ix) Desecration of  religious  images,  symbols  and  objects e.g. defacement of a religious symbol.

=PUBLICATIONS ON MARTIAL ARTS & TOPICS OF VIOLENCE=

1 Self-defence using hands and legs are allowed.

2 Self-defence using  sharp-edged  items  as  weapons  e.g.  knives, katanas, swords, sickles and shurikens will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

3 The following are disallowed:

(i) Publications which instruct on ways to make and use arms and bombs and those which encourage other forms of terrorist acts.

(ii) Suicide manuals.

=CALENDARS AND POSTERS=

1 As calendars  and  posters  are displayed  at  public  places,  they have the potential  to  cause  offence. Therefore, strict  standards  are imposed on  them  to  protect  young persons  from  unsuitable material and adults  from  exposure  to  unsolicited  material  that  they  may  find offensive.

2 Covers should be appropriate for public display and must not feature nudity, including  models  in  see-through  clothes  which  reveal  pubic hair, genitalia or women’s nipples.

3 The following are not allowed:

(i) Depictions of bare-breasted women and full frontal nudity.

(ii) Models in see-through clothes which reveal pubic hair or genitalia.

(iii) Portrayals of sexually permissive and alternative lifestyles e.g. sexual activity involving persons of the same gender and partner swapping or group sex.

(iv) Portrayals of deviant sexual practices e.g. paedophilia, bestiality and fetishes such as bondage.

Conditions of sale
4 Calendars and  posters  depicting  sexually  suggestive  poses  should carry consumer  advice and  are  to  be  placed  under  the  Restricted Publications Scheme  i.e.  no  promotion  through  advertising,  active marketing and  prominent  display (Please  refer  to  K.  Conditions  of Sale and L. Restricted Publications Scheme for details).

=ADULT-INTEREST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES=

1 Men’s and  women’s  lifestyle magazines that  target  adults  fall  within the class of adult-interest lifestyle magazines.

Cover Page
2 Covers should be appropriate for public display and must not feature nudity, sexual  positions  or  sexually-provocative  text. The following are not allowed:

(i) Models in  sexually  suggestive  poses  that  are  excessively revealing e.g. appearing naked  with  breasts  and/or  genitals covered by hands.

(ii) Models in see-through clothes which reveal pubic hair, genitalia or women’s nipples.

(iii) Promotion of alternative lifestyles or deviant sexual practices.

Sex
3 Depictions of  sexually  suggestive  poses  must  not  be  exploitative, excessive or explicit.

4 Depictions of  sexual  activities  must  not  be  exploitative  or  excessive and must  be  relevant  to  the  story  (e.g.  instructional  depictions  for sexual positions in an article).

5 Descriptions of  sex  between  heterosexual  couples  may  be  featured but these should not be exploitative or excessive.

6 Articles on activities  such  as  pornography  and  prostitution  must  not glamorise such activities.

Sexually Permissive & Alternative Lifestyles
7 Lifestyle magazines  should  not  encourage  or  promote  sexually permissive and alternative lifestyles.

8 Lifestyle magazines  should  not  carry  excessive  and  explicit depictions of  deviant  sexual  practices  e.g.  group  sex,  paedophilia, bestiality and strong fetishes.

Deviant Sexual Activity
9 Publications should  not  encourage  or  promote  deviant  sexual practices.

10 Pictures and illustrations of deviant sexual practices e.g. paedophilia, bestiality and fetishes such as bondage.must not be featured.

Alternative Lifestyle/Deviant Sexual Activity
11 Lifestyle magazines  should  not  encourage  or  promote  alternative lifestyles and  deviant  sexual  activities  (e.g.  group  sex,  paedophilia, bestiality and strong fetishes.

12 Lifestyle magazines  should  not  carry excessive  and  explicit depictions of  deviant  sexual  practices  e.g.  group  sex,  paedophilia, bestiality and strong fetishes.

Nudity
13 Depictions of full frontal nudity and genitals must not be featured. However, some leeway may be given for nudity in a non-sexual context.

14 Depictions of bare-breasted women may be allowed but must not be exploitative or excessive.

Language
15 Use of coarse language may be allowed but must not be excessive.

Crime and Violence
16 Crime, violence and other anti-social behaviour must not be promoted.

17 Descriptions and depictions of violence, torture, blood and gore must not be excessive, gratuitous or exploitative.

Drug Use
18 Factual and objective descriptions of types of drugs and their effects may be featured but drug abuse must not be promoted.

19 Descriptions and  depictions  of  drug  abuse  must  not  be  explicit  or excessive  (e.g.  detailed  instructions  on  the  process  of  making  and administering drugs; interviews describing and promoting drug abuse are not allowed).

Supplements/Special Editions/Collections
20 The same standards for lifestyle magazines apply to supplements.

21 Supplements on alternative lifestyles and deviant sexual practices are not allowed.

Conditions of Sale
22 Adult-interest lifestyle magazines,  which  may  contain  content  that  is unsuitable  for  the  young,  should  be  shrinkwrapped  and  carry Consumer advice (Please refer to K. Conditions of Sale for details).

=COMICS=

1 “Comics” is  a  form  of  visual  art  consisting  of  images  which  are commonly combined with text to tell a story. The most common forms of printed comics are comic strips, comic books and graphic novels.

2 Comics are allowed under two categories:

(i) General Release

(ii) Consumer  Advice  - required  to  be  shrink wrapped  and  carry consumer advice (“Unsuitable for the Young”).

Guidelines For General Release
3 The content of a comic including its depictions, theme and storyline, released under  this  category,  should  be  appropriate  for  general readers. But comics  targeted  specifically  at  very  young  children should have content appropriate for that age group.

Cover
4 The cover of a comic must be suitable for public display. It should not feature for example, any depiction of extreme violence, nudity, or that which is sexually suggestive.

Nudity
5 Outline nude drawings which are not in a sexual context (e.g. medical treatment of patients) are allowed.

6 Depictions of  nudity  showing  the  details  of  genitals,  pubic  hair  or female breasts are disallowed.

Sex
7 Depictions of  lovemaking  in  silhouette  with  little  or  no  details  are allowed if they are not excessive.

8 Sexually suggestive depictions (e.g. women with legs spread-eagled) are allowed if they are few and infrequent.

9 Explicit depictions  of  sexual  activity  (e.g.  sexual  positions)  are disallowed.

Alternative lifestyles / Deviant sexual practices
10 Themes or  depictions  of  alternative  lifestyles  or  deviant  sexual practices should  not  be  featured  e.g.  homosexuality, group  sex  and sado-masochism.

Language
11 Infrequent use of coarse language is allowed.

Crime and Violence
12 Depictions of violence (e.g. stabbing) may be allowed if not detailed, excessive or exploitative.

13 Depictions of sexual violence (such as rape) are disallowed.

14 Crime and violence should not be promoted.

Anti-Social Activities and Drug Abuse
15 Anti-social activities  (such  as  hooliganism &  gangsterism)  and  drug abuse should not be encouraged or promoted.

Guidelines For Consumer Advice (CA)
16 Comics with  adult  themes  and  content  which  are  unsuitable  for  the young should be shrinkwrapped and carry Consumer advice (Please refer to K. Conditions of Sale for details).

Cover
17 The cover  of  a  comic  book  must  be  suitable  for  public  display. It should not  feature,  for  example,  any  depiction  of  extreme  violence, nudity, or that which is sexually suggestive.

Nudity
18 Depictions of bare-breasted women may be allowed if not excessive or sexually suggestive.

19 Depictions of  nudity  with  genitals  and  pubic  hair  visible  may  be allowed if not detailed or excessive.

20 Gratuitous depictions of nudity are disallowed.

Sex
21 Depictions of  sex (including  foreplay) between  heterosexual couples may be allowed if not detailed or exploitative.

22 Sexually suggestive depictions may be allowed provided they are not excessive or exploitative.

Alternative lifestyles / Deviant sexual practices
23 Themes of  alternative  lifestyles  or  deviant  sexual  practices  e.g. homosexuality,  group  sex  and  sado-masochism,  should  not  be featured.

24 Depictions of alternative lifestyles or deviant sexual practices may be allowed if they are infrequent, non-explicit and only appear as a sub-plot.

Language
25 Use of strong coarse language may be allowed if not excessive.

Crime and Violence
26 Depictions of  violence  may  be  allowed  if  they  are  not  gratuitous  or extreme. Examples of extreme depictions include gory illustrations of dismemberment and gouging out the eyes.

27 Depictions of sexual violence should not be excessive or exploitative.

28 Crime and  violence  (including  sexual  violence  such  as  rape) should not be promoted.

Anti-social activities
29 Depictions of  anti-social  activities  (such  as  hooliganism  and gangsterism)  should  not  be  excessive  and promotion  of  such activities is disallowed.

Drug abuse
30 Depictions of types of drugs and their effects may be allowed.

31 Detailed depictions of methods of drug abuse should not be featured.

32 Promotion of drug abuse is disallowed.

= Glossary=

1 Alternative lifestyle – unconventional manner of living atypical of the concept of the traditional family e.g. homosexuality and bisexuality.

2 Coarse language - abusive, vulgar, or irreverent language with high level impact.

3 Deviant sexual  activity/practice – behaviour  which  is  atypical  of mainstream  sexual  practices e.g.  sado-masochism,  fetishism,  incest fantasies and sexual activity involving minors.

4 Depiction - representation through  image  e.g.  photographs  and illustrations.

5 Description - representation through  text  e.g.  articles,  interviews  or advice columns.

6 Excessive - exceeds reasonable limits, especially in terms of frequency or detail.

7 Explicit - with nothing hidden or implied.

8 Exploitative – to purposely debase, abuse or exaggerate to attract readers.

9 Extreme - of the highest degree or intensity.

10 Promote – to write or depict in such a manner so as to glamorise a behaviour or practice and/or encourage readers that such behaviour is acceptable and desirable.

11 Sexually permissive  lifestyle  – unconventional  sexual  behavior exhibited in activities such as partner swapping and group sex.

=CONDITIONS OF SALE=

=CONSUMER ADVICE=

1 Consumer advice  for  adult-interest  publications such  as  lifestyle magazines, sex and massage manuals and art books should be of a standard design  conforming  to  either of  the  following  two specifications:

A Height 2.5cm Length 4.5cm Border 3pt Font  English  Chinese Arial 16 18 Position Top 1/3 of cover B 2 Consumer advice  for  Comics  and  Erotic  Novels  released  under consumer advice should be of a standard design conforming to either of the following two specifications:

A Height 2cm Length 6cm Border 3pt Font  English  Chinese Arial 16 18 Position Top 1/3 of cover Height 2cm Length 3cm Border 3pt Font  English  Chinese Arial 12 18 Position Top 1/3 of cover Unsuitable for the Young 未成年 不宜 Unsuitable for the Young 未成年不宜 UNSUITABLE FOR THE YOUNG 未成年不宜

3 Consumer advice must be placed prominently on the top 1/3 section of covers for clear visibility. Price or promotional stickers must not be placed over warning labels.

4 Importers are  responsible  for  ensuring  that  consumer  advice  labels are properly affixed to publications before distribution.

5 Retailers must  not  sell  publications  with  consumer  advice  to  the young. In addition, retailers must ensure that such publications must be placed at high shelves or at locations not easily accessible to the young.

Height 1.5cm Length 4cm Border 3pt Font  English  Chinese Arial 12 18 Position Top 1/3 of cover 未成年不宜 UNSUITABLE FOR THE YOUNG

=RESTRICTED PUBLICATIONS SCHEME (RPS)=

1 The Restricted  Publications  Scheme  (RPS)  allows  for  publications such as  sex  manuals  that  contain  content  which  may  offend  certain segments of  the  public  but  have  redeeming  artistic  or  educational merit. Such publications  can  be  made  available  to  adults  while protecting the young through conditions of sale to restrict access. 2 Publications released under  the  RPS  should  be  shrink-wrapped and carry the consumer advice “Unsuitable for the Young” and should not be promoted through advertising and active marketing.

3 In addition,  such  publications  should  not  be  easily  accessible  to children e.g. placed on low shelves and prominently displayed at the shop window or singled out for display on a separate shelf or stand.

4 Importers are to refer publications for consideration under the RPS to MDA.

=INVESTIGATION OF BREACHES=

1 Upon the  Authority’s  detection  of  a  likely  breach  of  the  Content Guidelines, the  Authority  shall  commence  investigations. The Authority may require the affected importer or retailer to provide such information, records,  documents  or  other  materials  as  may  be necessary for the purpose of its investigations

=APPEALS=

1 Appeals to the Minister against the detention of any publication must be made within 14 days of the issue of a detention notice.

=See also=


 * Censorship in Singapore
 * Gay censorship in Singapore

=References=


 * MDA Content Guidelines for Imported Publications (2009)[http: //bit . ly/ 1mR2dLR].