Singapore regulator IMDA slaps S$7,000 fine on SPH Radio for racist segment
Singapore regulator, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), slapped a S$7,000 fine on Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Radio for breaching the Free-To-Air Programme Code.
IMDA fines SPH Radio for breaching free-to-air broadcast act / Kiss92.com
On January 11 2017, deejays from SPH Radio’s Kiss92FM discussed a sleep pattern study on Singaporeans, making remarks, which stereotyped races and offended some listeners. The station subsequently apologised via its Facebook page.
The remarks were made during the morning show hosted by Maddy Barber, Jason Johnson and Arnold Gay. IMDA concluded that the programme did contravene the Free-To-Air Programme Code after investigations.
The regulator stressed that a key obligation in the code is for broadcasters to avoid racial and religious stereotyping and ensure content which denigrates or is likely to offend the sensitivities of any racial or religious group in Singapore is not aired.
In a statement to the media, IMDA reiterated: “Given the strong influence radio exerts on the community and its accessibility to all Singaporeans, IMDA would like to remind broadcasters of their obligations under the Free-To-Air Radio Programme Code.”