The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has announced that a financial penalty of $7,000 has been imposed upon SPH (Singapore Press Holdings) Radio Pte Ltd for breaching the Free-To-Air Radio Program Code.
IMDA said in its statement on 21 March, as a free-to-air broadcaster, SPH Radio is expected to comply with the Free-To-Air Radio Program Code which seeks to ensure that radio programs maintain a standard that is acceptable to the community.
IMDA stressed, “A key obligation under the Code is for broadcasters to avoid racial and religious stereotyping and ensure that content which denigrates or is likely to offend the sensitivities of any racial or religious group in Singapore.”
On 11 January 2017, the deejays on SPH Radio’s Kiss92FM were discussing a study on the sleep patterns of Singaporeans in the morning radio show. While trying to interpret the findings of the study, they made remarks which stereotyped certain races which offended some listeners.
The station has subsequently apologised for making these remarks on its Facebook page.
IMDA said that after investigations, it concluded that the program in question did contravene the Free-To-Air Radio Program Code and imposed a financial penalty of $7,000 on SPH Radio for the breach.
“Given the strong influence radio exerts on the community and its accessibility to all Singaporeans, IMDA would like to remind broadcasters of their obligations under the Free-To-Air Radio Program Code,” it said.
