Dated: 31 August 2006
Two programme advisory committees -- the Advisory Committee on Malay Television and Radio Programmes (MPAC) and the Advisory Committee for Chinese Programmes (ACCESS) –have been re-appointed by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) for a two-year term.
Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of Central CDC chairs MPAC while Assoc Prof Lee Cheuk Yin, Head of Department, Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore is the new Chairman of ACCESS. The Committees advise the Media Development Authority (MDA) on the range and quality of TV and radio programmes broadcast on MediaCorp channels.
MPAC, whose term starts from 1 August 2006 to 31 July 2008, comprises 12 members from the education and legal professions and other walks of life.
MPAC will continue in its capacity to provide feedback to MediaCorp on its Malay programmes on TV12’s Suria and radio stations Warna and Ria to ensure that they meet the entertainment, info-educational needs of the community. Members will also advise and support MDA in its various public education and feedback gathering efforts. Elaborating, MPAC Chairman, Mr Zainudin says, “""The impact of the broadcast media on the lives of our citizens is quite significant. There is a need to strike a balance in the programme content. Thus, I look forward to serving in the Malay PAC which plays an active role in assessing the range and quality of Malay TV and radio programmes that serve the educational and entertainment needs of the Malay community.""
The 21-member ACCESS looks into the range and quality of programmes broadcast on MediaCorp TV’s Channels 8 and U, and makes recommendations for their improvements. Members include media practitioners, educationists, and professionals from the private and public sector. Of these, 11 are new, while another 10 members were re-appointed. ACCESS’ term is from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2008. Newly-appointed ACCESS Chairman Assoc Prof Lee adds, “The Committee will continue to provide feedback on the range and quality of programmes broadcast on MediaCorp TV's Chinese channels. We also hope to have more dialogues with broadcasters to ensure that recommendations are addressed and implemented.”
Acknowledging the contributions by these two committees, Ms Amy Chua, MDA’s Director, Media Content, says, “Members of the two advisory committees come from a cross section of society, and they provide good ground sentiments on the content standards and quality of TV and radio programmes. Their feedback has been constructive to both MDA and the industry as they help to provide a reality check on public needs, sensitivities and expectations.""
The terms of reference for the two committees and its members are attached as Annex A and B.
Besides MPAC and ACCESS, MDA also seeks feedback and advice from the Advisory Committee on Indian Television and Radio Programmes and Advisory Committee for English Programmes (PACE). More information on these advisory committees are available at http://www.mda.gov.sg/RegulationsAndLicensing/Consultation/Pages/ConsultationWithCommittees.aspx
For more information, please contact:
Ms Phoebe Seow
Assistant Director, Communications
DID: + 65 6837 9369
Email: phoebe_seow@imda.gov.sg
.webp)