Dialect Usage on Free-to-air Radio and Television Services
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the restrictions on dialect usage on free-to-air (FTA) radio and television, with Mr Yip Hon Weng inquiring about lifting them to assist the elderly. Minister Josephine Teo stated the policy prioritizes Mandarin as an official language, though limited dialect content remains available through news bulletins, specific program belts, and digital platforms. She cited a 2023 study showing most respondents prefer current dialect levels and that seven in 10 Singaporeans understand Mandarin, meaning there are no plans to expand FTA dialect programming. The Government remains prepared to lift restrictions for essential information dissemination, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure public health information reaches all citizens. The Ministry will continue to monitor Singaporeans’ views and demand for dialect content to determine if future adjustments to these restrictions are necessary to serve the population.
Transcript
52 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what are the reasons for the ongoing restriction of dialects on free-to-air (FTA) radio and television; and (b) considering the elderly's potentially limited access to pay TV and Internet for entertainment, whether the Ministry will consider fully lifting the dialect usage restrictions for FTA services.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Government's longstanding policy is to promote the use of Mandarin, as one of our four official languages. Free-to-Air (FTA) TV and radio cater to a wide range of audiences and are, therefore, required to offer Chinese services in Mandarin.
Nonetheless, dialect content remains available. Mediacorp's Channel 8 provides a dedicated belt of dialect programmes every Friday morning. Its radio station, Capital 95.8FM, offers daily news bulletins in various dialects. Dialect is also allowed for operatic performances or when the Mandarin terms are not commonly used. Dialect content is available on other platforms as well, such as Mediacorp's meWATCH, online platforms like YouTube, videos and music albums in retail stores, as well as through outdoor and theatrical performances.
There are currently no plans to allow more dialect programmes on FTA TV and radio. A Ministry of Communications and Information study in 2023 found that almost seven in 10 respondents chose Mandarin as the language that they can read or listen in. A very small number chose dialect exclusively. In addition, more than half of the respondents across all age groups felt that the amount of dialect content on FTA TV and radio should remain at the current level.
That said, we will continue to monitor Singaporeans' views and demand towards dialect content and are prepared to lift the restrictions when the need arises, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate health-related information dissemination.