The Singapore Broadcasting Authority’s (SBA) National Internet Advisory
Committee (NIAC) met recently in response to calls from local parents who
expressed fears of their children seeing offensive content on the Web.
The agenda of the meeting was to discuss Singapore’s position as a hub for the
creation of Web content in Asia and the implementation of a self-regulating
content rating system, RSACi, that is supposedly adopted in a few countries
as the world’s standard.
The committee expressed a desire to receive local content developers’
feedback on how effective such a rating system, provided by Internet
Explorer’s preferences and applications such as CyberPatrol, would be and
whether they would adopt the rating system.
NIAC would also like developer wish lists regarding support from the
government in order to make Singapore a haven for hosting and developing content.
“My own opinion about the rating system, which I voiced to the SBA, is that
it is a futile exercise because those people who would have no offensive
content would be glad to adopt it — but it would
be of no consequence,” said Josh Sklar, creative director of Expanded Media
Asia Pte Ltd, who is also the chairman of the Asian New Media Association
(ANMA).
The ANMA started last year as an Asian version of the the New York New
Media Association (NYNMA), a not-for-profit industry association to
support and promote the new media industry. ANMA’s members work in
diverse fields such as broadcasting and publishing, Web site development,
design, entertainment, education, and professional and financial services.
“It gives parents a false sense of security that their kids will be free
from inappropriate content when there is no regulatory body making sure the
ratings are accurate,” he said.
He said that education is important since most kids know more about setting
preferences on the computer than their parents.
The SBA responded to local parents’ concerns by suggesting
the RSACi system, fearing that if they do not implement a self-regulation
system, one would be forced upon by the local government.
“If the government did try and enforce their own regulations, they would
see people fleeing Singapore and hosting their sites in other more liberal
countries. Editors would be in Hong Kong or Australia,” said Sklar.
The NIAC was appointed by the Ministry of Information and the Arts in August
1996. The Committee advises SBA on the regulation of electronic information
services and the development of the industry. It also assists SBA in
developing a regulatory framework for the Internet in Singapore.
