Policy on Use of Dialect Languages on Radio and Television Channels
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong’s inquiry on the government’s position and plans regarding Chinese dialect programmes on radio and television. Minister for Communications and Information Mrs Josephine Teo explained that dialect content is limited on Free-to-Air platforms to support Mandarin as an official language. Minister for Communications and Information Mrs Josephine Teo noted that dialect is primarily used to convey public policies to the elderly via dedicated slots on Mediacorp’s Channel 8 and Capital 95.8FM. While exceptions occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister for Communications and Information Mrs Josephine Teo confirmed there are no plans to increase dialect programming. Minister for Communications and Information Mrs Josephine Teo concluded that viewers can access dialect content through alternative platforms like pay television and the Internet.
Transcript
15 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what is the Government's present position on the airing of Chinese dialect programmes on radio and television channels; and (b) whether there are any plans to allow some or more programmes in Chinese dialects on our radio and television channels to promote the preservation of heritage and encourage younger Chinese Singaporeans to be conversant in their dialects.
The Minister for Communications and Information (Mrs Josephine Teo): Mr Speaker, taking into consideration the reach of Free-to-Air (FTA) radio and television to a wide range of audiences including the young, dialect content is limited on these platforms to support the prevailing language policy of Mandarin as one of the four official languages.
Nonetheless, we recognise the value of dialect programmes to convey information and public policies to the elderly who are conversant only in dialect, such as on MediShield, Pioneer Generation Package and other Government support measures. Mediacorp's Channel 8 provides a dedicated belt of dialect programmes every Friday late morning. Its radio station Capital 95.8FM also offers news bulletins in various dialects, read a few times daily.
In exceptional circumstances such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowances were given to convey critical information and public service messages catered for the elderly as part of our national effort to provide accurate and timely information to every Singaporean about COVID-19 and to keep them engaged at home.
There are currently no plans to allow more dialect programmes on FTA TV and radio. Such content is available on other platforms such as pay TV and over the Internet – and if I may add, in plentiful supply.