Censorship In Motion Flim Done By: Tan Jun Yang

Content Early Forms Of Censorship Necessity Purpose Rating System

Hays Code After World War I (1930) in America, Will H. Hays introduced the concept of censorship in America. The concept of : “If motion pictures present stories that will affect lives for the better, they can become the most powerful force for the improvement of mankind ” was the main driving force behind the need for censorship.

Hays Code (General Principles) No picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence the sympathy of the audience should never be thrown to the side of crime, wrongdoing, evil or sin. Correct standards of life, subject only to the requirements of drama and entertainment, shall be presented. Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation. There must be no scenes at any time showing law- enforcing officers dying at the hands of criminals.

Hays Code (Crime Against Law) Murder – The technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation. – Killings that are brutal are not to be presented in detail. – Revenge in modern times shall not be justified. Illegal drug traffic must never be presented.

Hays Code (Sex) The presence of adultery, sometimes necessary plot material, must not be explicitly treated, or justified, or presented attractively. – They should not be introduced when not essential to the plot. – Presence of excessive and lustful kissing, lustful embraces, suggestive postures and gestures, are not to be shown. – In general passion should so be treated that these scenes do not stimulate the lower and baser element.

Hays Code (Profanity) Pointed profanity (this includes the words, God, Lord, Jesus, Christ - unless used reverently - Hell, S.O.B., damn, Gawd), or every other profane or vulgar expression however used, is forbidden.

Hays Code (Costume) Presence of complete nudity is never permitted. This includes nudity in fact or in silhouette, or any lecherous or licentious notice thereof by other characters in the picture. Indecent or undue exposure is forbidden. Undressing scenes should be avoided, and never used save where essential to the plot.

Hays Code (Religion) No film or episode may throw ridicule on any religious faith. Ministers of religion in their character as ministers of religion should not be used as comic characters or as villains. Ceremonies of any definite religion should be carefully and respectfully handled.

Necessity Art can be morally good, lifting men to higher levels. This has been done through good music, great painting, authentic fiction, poetry, drama. Art can be morally evil in its effects. This is the case clearly enough with unclean art, indecent books, suggestive drama. The effect on the lives of men and women are obvious.

Necessity The motion pictures, which are the most popular of modern arts for the masses, have their moral quality from the intention of the minds which produce them and from their effects on the moral lives and reactions of their audiences..

Necessity Most arts appeal to the mature. Films appeals at once to every class, mature, immature, developed, undeveloped, law abiding, criminal. By reason of the mobility of film and the ease of picture distribution, and because the possibility of duplicating positives in large quantities, this art reaches places unpenetrated by other forms of art.

Necessity It is difficult to produce films intended for only certain classes of people. The motion picture, because of its importance as entertainment and because of the trust placed in it by the peoples of the world, has special moral obligations. To ensure that motion films uphold these moral obligations as to educate the masses, censorship is necessary.

Purpose Governments introduce censorship of violence and sexual themes is necessary as the population is deeply conservative, and censorship of political, racial and religious content is necessary to avoid upsetting the balance of the nation’s delicate multi-racial society.

Rating System G (General) - Everyone is admitted. PG (Parental Guidance) - Everyone is admitted with children accompanied by an adult. Contains very mild violence. PG13 (Parental Guidance - 13 And Above) - Recommended by the CRC in 2009, the PG13 rating is given to films with content deemed unsuitable for young children but for which a NC16 rating is not warranted. NC16 (No Children Under 16) - Nobody under age 16 is admitted. Contains partial nudity and mild violence. (This classification was introduced in 1998) M18 (Mature 18) - Nobody under age 18 is admitted. Contains nudity, moderate violence and may offend religious people. (This classification was introduced in 2004) R21 (Restricted 21) - Nobody under age 21 is admitted. Contains nudity with/without sexual context, strong violence and may offend religious people. (This classification was previously known as R (A) Banned - Contains issues that are likely to cause controversy.

Government Agency Media Development Agency is responsible for promoting and regulating the Singapore media sector. On the other hand, the MDA set standards that lay the foundation for building a cohesive and inclusive society.