MDA and Central Singapore CDC organise public talks for parents on children's media use

Dated: 21 August 2003

Come 25 August 2003, the Media Development Authority (MDA), together with the Central Singapore CDC, is bringing Singaporeans a series of public talks, titled "The Media and Parents" targeting at parents and guardians.

This second series to be held from 25 to 29 August 2003, aims to provide parents with a better understanding of the various media so that they can get the most benefits for their children. The talk is organised as part of MDA's Media 21 blueprint of raising the level of media awareness among Singaporeans so that they can make informed media choices.

"The Media and Parents" brings together five experienced speakers from the industry who will touch on topics relating to publications, TV, films, radio and the Internet. They will provide audiences an insight to these media forms and how they can play a part in guiding their children's choices.

MDA has invited the following speakers to share their experiences and expertise:

(i) Zubaidah Mohsen, Head, Children's Services, Woodlands Regional Library
Monday 25 August 2003M
Topic of talk: "Dive into Books"

(ii) Anita Kuan, Lecturer, School of Film and Media Studies, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Tuesday, 26 August 2003
Topic of talk: "Radio for Children and Teens - It's a Small World After All?"

(iii) Dr Angeline Khoo, Associate Professor, Psychological Studies, National Institute of Education
Wednesday, 27 August 2003
Topic of talk: "Guiding Your Child to Use the Internet Safely"

(iv) Dr Maria Pieter Aquilia, Assistant Professor, Electronic and Broadcast Media,
Nanyang Technological University
Thursday, 28 August 2003
Topic of talk: "Choosing the Right Movie: How to do it for Your Child?"

(v) Augustine Anthuvan, Assistant Programme Manager, Radio Singapore International,
MediaCorp Radio
Friday, 29 August 2003
Topic of talk: "Parenting in a TV Age"

Please refer to Annexes A and B for the synopsis of talks and speaker's profile respectively.

The talks will take place at the Toa Payoh Central Community Club located at 93 Toa Payoh Central, at 7.30pm each evening, at the Theatrette, Level 3. Admission is free and members of the public can call Tel:               6372 2795        6372 2795 or               6370 9901        6370 9901 or email: Faridah_A_GHANI@imda.gov.sg to register. Registrations are on a first-come-first-serve basis.

This is the second time that MDA is working with the Central Singapore CDC on a series of educational public talks. "We are glad that once again, the Central Singapore CDC is partnering MDA in bringing 'The Media and Parents' to members of the public. We hope that from the series, parents and guardians would have a better understanding of the media and how they can play a part in guiding their children's choice and use of publications, TV, films, radio and the Internet. The talks are not meant only for parents and guardians but also for anyone who is interested to know more about the benefits and impact of the various media forms," said Cecilia Yip, Assistant Director, Public Education, MDA.

"The overwhelming response received from the inaugural talk series is a clear indication of the community's strong interest in media related issues. Central Singapore CDC's collaboration with MDA in organising 'Media and Parents' aims to provide an avenue to educate parents on how they can aid their child's education and growth through making informed choices related to the media," said Ms Tan Gee Keow, General Manager, Central Singapore CDC.

MDA will continue to organise public talks to foster a media literate society with Singaporeans connected to a vibrant media industry. This is part of MDA's Media 21 vision of making Singapore a global media city by creating a vibrant environment for the industry to flourish and the public to enjoy.

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Annex A

Synopsis of Talks

Monday 25 August 2003

"Dive into Books"
by Zubaidah Mohsen, Head, Children's Services, Woodlands Regional Library

Zubaidah will get parents acquainted with the wide range of books suitable for infants to preschoolers, and older children. Discover what's available at the library to kickstart a lifelong enjoyment of books in your child.

Tuesday, 26 August 2003

"Radio for Children and Teens - It's a Small World After All?"
by Anita Kuan, Lecturer, School of Film and Media Studies, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Are there children's programmes worth listening to over the airwaves? What exactly are your kids hearing when they touch that dial? And how much impact does radio have on the young? Anita explores current programming, including what some young people are creating over the airwaves for their peers.

Wednesday, 27 August 2003

"Guiding Your Child to Use the Internet Safely"
by Dr Angeline Khoo, Associate Professor, Psychological Studies, National Institute of Education

Dr Khoo, who is also from the Parents Advisory Group for the Internet (PAGi) will speak on Internet safety and provide all guardians with tips on how children can have a fun and safe Internet surfing experience. She will also touch on how parents can play a vital part in ensuring a safe surfing environment for your children.

Thursday, 28 August 2003

"Choosing the Right Movie: How to do it for Your Child?"
by Dr Maria Pieter Aquilia, Assistant Professor, Electronic and Broadcast Media, Nanyang Technological University

Dr Aquilia will provide parents and guardians with the skills that will help them think critically about what their children should or shouldn't be watching. Drawing on her experience as a writer, director and producer in children's film and television, she will cover issues such as appropriate genres, storylines, themes, characters, and action.

Friday, 29 August 2003

"Parenting in a TV Age"
by Augustine Anthuvan, Assistant Programme Manager, Radio Singapore International, MediaCorp Radio

From Saturday morning television to video games, advertising and movies, parents worry about media's impact on their children. Are their fears justified? How much can parents and teachers influence children's media use? Augustine, who has wide experience working with the media, will help parents learn to analyse television themselves and teach their kids new ways of interacting with the most powerful medium in their lives.

Annex B

Speakers' Profile

Ms Zubaidah Mohsen

Zubaidah Mohsen has been with the National Library Board for 12 years. First attached to the Bukit Merah Community Library, she then moved on to head the Bukit Batok Community Library, and subsequently the New Services unit. Currently heading the Children's Services team at the Woodlands Regional Library, Zubaidah has a deep interest in services to children, and nurturing their creative and innovative minds. Zubaidah holds a BA (Hons) and Masters of Science in Information Studies.

Ms Anita Kuan

Anita Kuan is a lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Film &Media Studies where she teaches Radio Production and Radio Journalism. She also supervises the campus radio station, Radio Heatwave. Her students' productions are regularly aired on national radio.

Anita was the face of morning television - AM Singapore, to be exact - in the mid 1990s. She was also anchoring the weekend news and Parliament Highlights on Channel 5.

What's a lesser known fact is that Anita began her broadcasting career as a DJ on Radio 5 (now Symphony 92.4) and Radio 1 (now Gold 90.5 &NewsRadio 93.8). She was Assistant Programme Manager (Radio 1) before leaving to join TV.

Dr Angeline Khoo

Associate Professor Angeline Khoo (BA Hons, University of Singapore, M.Ed National University of Singapore, PhD Australian National University) is a tenured staff member of the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and lectures at the National Institute of Education in social psychology and educational psychology.

At present, she holds the post of Subdean, Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Primary) programme. Before joining the University in 1990, she was a secondary school teacher and was actively involved in counselling students. She has published several study guides for students and also articles on pastoral care, sex education and delinquent behaviour in international and professional journals. She has also presented papers at both local and international conferences.

Her current research interests include social identity, self-categorisation, shame and guilt, delinquency, prosocial behaviour and Internet behaviour and safety. She is also the Chairman of PAGi's Education Subcommittee and a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, the Singapore Psychological Society and the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists. She is married with two grown daughters.

Dr Maria Pieter Aquilia

Dr Aquilia is an assistant professor in the Division of Electronic and Broadcast Media, School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University. She is the co-author of the book, The Media in Singapore and the Region.

Dr Aquilia is a scriptwriter and director in film and television, and her internationally broadcast work includes children's entertainment and education programs. She is a regular consultant for RTB Brunei, in children's television and news.

Her novel, Daughters of the Mob, was a finalist for the Vogel Award for literature, and she has won range of awards, including an Australian Writers Guild Awards (AWGIE) nomination, for her film, television and video work.

Dr Aquilia has lectured since 1988 at University of Technology, Sydney, Macquarie, Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities in Australia. Her qualifications include Doctor of Creative Arts (University of Technology, Sydney), MA (Curtin), BA (Australian Film, Television and Radio School) and BA (Curtin).

Mr Augustine Anthuvan

Augustine Anthuvan is at present the Assistant Programme Manager for Radio Singapore International, MediaCorp Radio. As Senior Correspondent, he is responsible for the station's coverage of South East Asia. In his weekly edition of Perspective, Augustine covers a wide range of issues, from international and regional security to the political developments within the ten South East Asian countries that make up ASEAN.

A keen observer of environmental issues, Augustine has traveled to the jungles of Malaysia, and has produced documentaries on sustainable development and eco-tourism.

Before joining RSI, Augustine worked as a Media Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Singapore, where his work involved the conducting of media literacy workshops.