Singapore lets artists express concern for global conflicts, but content cannot provoke unrest
The Government has given approval for several performances that feature causes recently, including those covering the Israel-Gaza conflict and which explore themes of genocide.
Singapore’s government acknowledges the global impact of conflicts and allows artists to express their concerns, provided their content doesn’t disrupt public order, national security, or stability in the country, according to Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information. This stance was discussed in Parliament on September 10, in response to a question from East Coast GRC member Hazlina Abdul Halim about the government's assessment of artists’ conduct on international conflicts.
Recent warnings issued by the police to two British trip-hop band Massive Attack members, who displayed a Palestinian flag during a concert on July 29 and shouted "Free Palestine," led to the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) banning the band from re-entering Singapore. This means the band will not receive future approvals for performances in the country.
IMDA's Arts Entertainment Classification Code, which all licensees must follow, explicitly states that artistic expression should not undermine public order in Singapore.
The government expects local and foreign artists performing in Singapore to adhere to local laws and license conditions during their events. When assessing artistic content, IMDA considers both the intent of the actions and the likely impact of the performance. The regulator also emphasizes that Singapore should not be used as a platform by foreigners to promote political causes, including conflicts or political issues overseas.
Hazlina followed up by asking if there were examples of performances by international artists with social causes that were permitted in Singapore. Tan cited three such performances: a May event To The Unforgotten, which celebrated humanity and solidarity with various groups around the world, including a song, poem, and multimedia elements on the Israel-Gaza conflict; a May performance called 6 Microlectures On Genocides, which explored themes of genocide, war crimes, and contemporary conflicts; and a 2024 stand-up comedy called Namaste in 2024 with an Advisory 16 rating, which featured a segment about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
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