MDDI to relax restrictions on dialect film screenings in S'pore from Sep. 2026
Dialects are cultural heritage worth preserving, said PM Wong at the National Day Rally.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) will relax regulations surrounding Chinese dialects in television and cinema in Singapore starting September 2026. Films predominantly featuring dialects will be permitted to screen without limit, provided Mandarin subtitles and a Mandarin-dubbed version accompany them. This change also removes restrictions on dialect content for subscription television services, including a cap of one dialect art-house film per week and limitations on dialect songs on music channels.
Mandarin will remain the primary language for free-to-air Chinese TV and radio. The government's move acknowledges dialects as cultural heritage, following widespread online discussions about dubbing a Teochew film in Mandarin. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized the need to protect the Speak Mandarin Campaign's gains while encouraging Mandarin use among English-dominant Singaporeans.
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