So…who should take the reins?

For the past few weeks I have been talking A LOT about technical media theories and so on but today, we have finally come to talk about everyone’s favourite topic…It’s the age old debate that EVERYONE has an opinion on…

*drumroll please*

The battle between a private-owned media world vs a government-owned media world..

So, who do I think should win?!

The Government

Singapore’s media is currently known to be highly controlled by the government through the Ministry of Communications and Information. They regulate the content that is produced in Singapore and are the ones we should be afraid of. Not only do they control what we see from within our country but also what other countries can show us.

Sooooo..for example, a program shown on Netflix to other countries may not be available for Singaporeans to watch because it violates our regulatory rules. Just recently, Singapore ordered to ban ‘weed shows’ that were on Netflix so our poor Singaporeans will not be able to enjoy some trippy content.

I think it’s great!

I personally, for my 22 years alive, have not been gravely affected by the rules that has been imposed for our media. I think it keeps us safe as Singaporeans, to be frank. However, that’s because I’m not someone who likes to think out loud. If I was Amos Yee, then clearly I would have a problem with the media being constantly regulated by the government.

I enjoy the idea that our media is safe for everyone to experience and it cultivates young Singaporeans to grow up in a safe space as well. It’s not like we are completely restricted from anything cool going on on the outside. We are still allowed freedom to have personal social media accounts and we are allowed to express ourselves that’s for sure, and that’s important. Without government control on the media, imagine what chaos would be created?

There are many things to risk if we were not somewhat held on a leash, in my opinion. I revert back to my first case; Singapore vs Weed.

Singapore has always held a strong opinion against weed although it has been proven to help aid some physical and mental disabilities. Even when Thailand legalised medical marijuana, Singapore did not move an inch. Not only that, in the last 2 years, including 2020, Netflix has removed 3 tv shows about weed at the demand of the IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority). For me, I stand with legalising marijuana but however, I understand the need to remove such shows for our Singaporean audiences. Being caught with drugs in Singapore is very dangerous and has resulted in many executions. A Netflix account can be created by anyone of any age and if it happens to fall into the wrong hands and could influence a single person, it could cost a life and that is something we should never risk.

In conclusion, I happily support the idea of a government-owned media world. Some people have to face the facts that not everyone is mature enough to handle information responsibly and if we have the opportunity to keep others safe, we should take it!