Codes of Practice - Media

IMDA diligently manages a range of classification services, safeguarding that media content aligns with the prevailing IMDA regulations and content standards. Delve into the Codes of Practice and Guidelines for Media to gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory framework in Singapore's media landscape.

TV

1. Content Code for Nationwide Managed Transmission Linear Television Services (650.05KB)

This Code applies to scheduled programmes on free-to-air TV and subscription TV.

2. Content Code for Over-the-Top, Video-on-Demand and Niche Services (638.48KB)

This Code applies to content on over-the-top, video-on-demand, and niche services.

3. Television and Radio Advertising and Sponsorship Code (494.22KB)

This Code applies to advertisements and sponsorship of programmes on free-to-air TV and subscription TV.

4. Code of Practice for Television Broadcast Standards  (173.39KB)

The Code outlines the technical performance standards to be observed by nationwide TV licensees. 

Radio

5. Content Code for Radio Services (297.97KB)

This Code applies to content on free-to-air radio stations. 

6. Television and Radio Advertising and Sponsorship Code (494.22KB)

This Code applies to advertisements and sponsorship of programmes on free-to-air radio.

Films

7. Film Classification Guidelines (481.79KB)

The Film Classification Guidelines sets out the general principles and content concerns that the IMDA considers in its film classification process, and aims to reflect community standards while ensuring that due consideration is given to the film’s artistic, educational, or literary merit.

8. Guidelines for Publicity Materials (187.48KB)

The guidelines list the standards that print advertisements for films should adhere to.  

Games

9. Video Game Classification Guidelines (382.92KB)

The Video Game Classification Guidelines sets out the general principles and content concerns that the IMDA considers in its classification process, and aims to reflect community standards while ensuring that due consideration is given to a game’s artistic, educational, or literary merit.

10. Guidelines for Publicity Materials (32.79KB)

The guidelines list the standards that print advertisements for video game should adhere to.

Publications and Audio Materials

11. Content Guidelines for Imported Publications (759.33KB)

These guidelines apply to imported publications such as magazines and books.

12. Content Guidelines for Local Lifestyle Magazines (667.32KB)

These guidelines serve as a guide to permit holders who are engaged in publishing and distributing lifestyle magazines in Singapore under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA).

13. Guidelines for Audio Materials (229.30KB)

These guidelines apply to audio materials. 

Arts Entertainment

14. Arts Entertainment Classification Code (84.24KB)

The Arts Entertainment Classification Code aims to reflect community standards while ensuring that due consideration is given to the artistic, educational, or literary merit of the arts performance. The purpose of classification is to protect the young while allowing greater freedom of choice for adults.

Internet

15. Internet Code of Practice (49.90KB)

The Internet Code of Practice which falls under the Broadcasting Act (Cap. 28), outlines the content standards for Internet content.

Designated Social Media Services

16a. Draft Code of Practice for Online Safety (192.15KB)
16b. Guidelines for Code of Practice for Online Safety (166.18KB)

The draft Code of Practice for Online Safety (“draft Code”) sets out obligations that designated Social Media Services have to meet to enhance online safety for Singapore end-users and curb the spread of harmful content on their service. We are issuing this draft to aid in Parliamentary debates on the Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill (“the Bill”) by giving an early sense of how IMDA intends to implement the Bill provisions on Codes of Practice for online safety. This draft may change following industry consultation. We expect to bring the Code into force in 2H CY2023.

The accompanying Guidelines provide illustrative but non-exhaustive examples of harmful / inappropriate content. The Guidelines aim to clarify what types of content may be of concern to Singapore end-users, but do not constrain the designated Social Media Services in implementing their own community guidelines and standards while meeting their obligations under the draft Code.

Audiotext

17. Audiotext Code of Practice (131.12KB)

The Audiotext Code of Practice which falls under the Class Licence scheme, applies to all providers of audiotext services (voice applications which allow users to enter or retrieve information over the phone), including those which offer chatline services.

Media Market

18. Code of Practice for Competition in the Provision of Telecommunication and Media Services 2022 (Telecom and Media Competition Code)

The Telecom and Media Competition Code is a comprehensive competition management framework that comprises ex-ante obligations and ex-post provisions which licensees must comply with. The Telecom and Media Competition Code comes into effect on 2 May 2022.

Notice
Information Circular to the Pay TV industry in respect of IMDA’s Decision on Exemption from Obligations under Paragraph 2.7 of the Media Market Conduct Code (“Code”) in relation to Free Preview of Premier League (“PL”) Content (306.34KB)
Information Circular to the Pay TV industry in respect of the changes to the process for Assessment of Exemption Applications with respect to addition of new Channels and Offering of Free Previews to Subscribers on supplying Qualified Licensee’s Platform (286.92KB)

19. Guidelines On Maximum Contract Term And Early Termination Charges For Pay TV Services Offered To Consumers (70.55KB)

These advisory guidelines are intended to clarify the standards that would be generally applied in assessing whether the pay TV retailers have complied with their obligations set out in paragraph 3.5 (“Prohibition on Excessive Early Termination Liabilities”) of the Code of Practice for Market Conduct.