Singapore media regulator fines Mediacorp over breach of programme code
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has fined Mediacorp $5,500 for a breach of the Video-On-Demand Programme Code.
Mediacorp slapped with fine by IMDA
This follows an earlier ruling on a radio show for a racist segment.
An episode of a Chinese-language web series I Want To Be A Star, released on Mediacorp’s Toggle web platform in September 2016, carried an offensive remark by one of the characters as well as featuring an actor with “blackface” makeup.
The offensive remark in question was made by one of the characters who said Indians and Africans were the same and it made no difference in casting an Indian as an African in a TV production, with the actor in “blackface” makeup playing an African.
The regulator has ruled that the segment was racially insensitive and constituted racial stereotyping that might offend certain segments of the community. This is in contravention of the Racial and Religious Harmony section of the Video-On-Demand Programme Code.
IMDA noted that Mediacorp promptly removed the offensive segment from the episode and taken remedial action to prevent recurrence.