Why restrict political films?

The ST (Sat May 21, 2005: S9) published some of the responses to their Insight article which looked at restrictions on party political films under the Films Act. What brought about the original article was the banning of Martyn See's film on Chee Soon Juan from the Singapore International Film Festival. Interestingly, the 5 responses, which represented 'a sampling', were in one way or another in agreement that restrictions ought to be eased. Short of censuring the government over its policies pertaining to political films, the respondents gave reasons that explain why exposing Singaporeans to political films is acceptable and should not raise alarms.

One suggested that 'most Singaporeans are now well-educated, more open and discerning'. Another mentioned that 'giving electoral speeches is already a form of advertising', and hence restrictions on political films to prevent Singapore politics from degenerating into an advertising slugfest do not hold water. Yet another offers that 'if the PAP truly has the support of the people, why worry?'

I think they each have valid arguments against the 'government's anachronic prohibition of political films', but some of the comments nonetheless reflect a certain political naivety on their part. For instance, while one reader pointed out correctly that 'giving electoral speeches is already a form of advertising', yet this is hardly a factor for consideration on Government's censorship on political films. Fact is, regardless if the citizenry is deemed mature or that the PAP has strong support of the electorate, it is in the prevailing government's interest to stifle the flow of political information that is possibly inimical to its rule. If tomorrow the rules are relaxed, various political films are being made and the general public consequently has access to them, less palatable political realities may come to light and many might indeed readjust their political views. If politics is an art of persuasion, political films may just be a powerful medium that can be relied upon to galvanise the masses and affect political thought. Therein lies the reason why the PAP government is hardly likely to relent on restrictions on political films.