We need to say ‘no’ to censorship.Share
Today at 01:43
The censorship of the media and the arts that our country wields so heavy-handedly doesn’t just muzzle our artists, but also implies that Singaporeans are unable to distinguish between right and wrong. Closer to home, it assumes that we as a people are not able to recognize that gay men and women are ordinary human beings – capable of experiencing true love and happiness.
Yes, censorship in Singapore is particularly cruel towards the gay community. Positive portrayals and positive mention of our lives are banned. Yes folks, unless the gay character in the movie comes to a tragic or bitter end – it usually can’t be shown. Meanwhile on Singapore TV, any mention of gay rights gets insidiously snipped from Academy Award speeches as if they were never uttered and gay characters in TV shows have their sexuality erased. In the Arts, theatre companies like Wild Rice get their funding cut because they supposedly put on too many gay plays.
Now many in our community may say it doesn’t matter so much. After all, we can download or smuggle in any movie we want to see, catch the full speech on youtube and we all know Wild RIce will continue to soldier on.
But it’s not right. And it’s NOT ok. Especially when there are people working so hard to make a change.
The Arts Community in Singapore has recently released a position paper on censorship http://sites.google.com/site/artsengagesg/home. In a nutshell, it calls for regulation (a ratings system), not censorship.
And all they are asking is that you sign it http://sites.google.com/site/artsengagesg/signpaper to show MDA that we aren’t the dumb-asses they think we are.
The deadline for signing is coming up soon in mid-July. So don’t miss your chance yah?
