Singapore legislation
Section 15
Section 15
Classification and re-classification of films
(1)
Subject to subsection (10), on receipt of an application under section 14 for classification or re-classification of a film, or on the referral of the Minister under section 24A(1)(b), the Authority may, after viewing the film —
classify or re-classify the film, as the case may be; or
provisionally classify or re-classify the film (as the case may be) subject to such alterations or excisions as the Authority may specify.
(2)
Where —
a decision of a film content assessor assigning a classification rating in relation to a film is, by the operation of section 20(1), deemed to be a decision of the Authority classifying the film; and
the Authority is of the opinion that the Authority would have given the film a different classification rating (whether on its own initiative under subsection (3) or on application under section 14),the Authority may, after viewing the film, revoke the classification by the film content assessor and then re-classify the film by giving the film a different classification rating.
(3)
Subject to subsection (10), the Authority may, on its own initiative, call in a classified film for re-classification purposes or an unclassified film for classification purposes and, after viewing the film —
classify or re-classify the film, as the case may be; or
provisionally classify or re-classify the film (as the case may be) subject to such alterations or excisions as the Authority may specify.
(4)
However, where after viewing a film, the Authority is of the opinion that the film is within the ambit of section 16, the Authority must refuse to classify the film (after revoking any prior classification for the film), and give reasons for that decision.
(5)
The matters to be taken into account by the Authority in making a decision under this section on the classification or re-classification for a film include —
the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults in Singapore;
the literary, artistic or educational merit (if any) of the film;
the general character of the film; and
the person or class of persons to or amongst whom the film is distributed or publicly exhibited, or is intended or likely to be distributed or publicly exhibited.
(6)
Before making its decision under subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) and for the purpose of forming an opinion on which to base such decision, the Authority may consult an advisory committee or any other person in respect of the film; but the Authority is not bound by any advice from the consultation.
(7)
In classifying or re-classifying a film, the Authority must assume that the film will be distributed or publicly exhibited only in the form in which it is being considered for classification or re‑classification under this section.
(8)
In classifying or re-classifying any film under subsection (1), (2) or (3), the Authority may also determine the consumer advice giving information about the content of the film.
(9)
A provisional classification or re-classification for a film —
lapses at the end of 6 months after it is made; and
is deemed a classification for that film upon the Authority confirming in writing that all the conditions contained in its provisional classification have been complied with before the end of the period in paragraph (a).
(10)
This section does not authorise the Authority to exercise any power under this section in relation to a film —
that is an obscene film, a party political film or a prohibited film;
that the Minister has or is deemed to have refused classification on the ground that it is against national security for the film to be classified; or
in respect of which the Committee of Appeal has, on appeal to it, made a decision (whether before, on or after 29 April 2019), unless —
more than 5 years have lapsed after the decision of the Committee of Appeal takes effect; or
the Authority earlier changes any part of its classification guidelines, being a change that relates to any part of the film’s content.