GE2020: ELD, Factually clarify requirement of political broadcasts on TV after PSP's confusion

• PSP had found it ‘disturbing’ to have to submit e-rally scripts two days prior
• Elections Department and Factually said there is no such requirement
• PSP was referring to requirement for political broadcasts on national TV, they noted

SINGAPORE — The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has misconstrued a requirement to submit scripts in advance for political broadcasts on national television — a standard practice in place since 1980 — thinking that it was for e-rallies that may be held in lieu of physical rallies this General Election (GE).

Political parties need not submit their scripts for vetting for e-rallies, the Government’s fact-checking agency Factually said on its website on Sunday (June 28).

In an article titled “Clarification on submission of e-rallies scripts”, it wrote: “Political parties and candidates can carry out campaigning on the internet. There is no requirement to submit their scripts for such internet campaigning activities, including online rallies.”

It was published a day after PSP’s organising secretary Michael Chua, who will be the party’s candidate for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), expressed concerns over having to submit scripts for e-rallies two days in advance.

During a walkabout at Holland Village on Saturday, he told reporters that the party found such a requirement “disturbing” and “disconcerting”, pointing out that candidates and speakers at live rallies could present their ideas directly to voters and residents without being vetted ahead of time.

“Potentially, other people are also looking at whatever we submit. So what is the consequence of foreknowledge of whatever we are going to say?” he then questioned.

Parties and candidates were briefed on political broadcast requirements on Friday.

In response to TODAY’s queries, ELD said that submitting of scripts ahead of the recording of party political broadcasts and constituency political broadcasts is “not a new arrangement”, and had been in place for the previous GEs since 1980.

It added that the scripts were required to ensure that the contents do not contain statements that are libellous or that may cause racial or religious tensions or affect social cohesion.

It then reiterated that political parties and candidates can carry out campaigning activities on the internet, including via live streaming.

“As with the physical rallies of previous General Elections, political parties and candidates are not required to submit their scripts for live streaming to the authorities,” it said.

“Political parties and candidates should conduct election campaigning in a responsible and dignified manner that befits the seriousness of the election process.”

The ELD had announced on June 18 that GE2020 will not feature physical rallies, but candidates may hold e-rallies at special live-streaming facilities, which would be set up during the period of campaigning from June 30 to July 8. The nation heads to the polls on July 10.

There would be specific time slots available throughout the day for the parties to use the live-streaming facilities.

Beyond the basic technical setup furnished onsite at the recording venues, candidates are expected to make their own arrangements for filming and live streaming at the site to ensure the successful delivery of their live streams, “similar to physical rallies”, ELD had said.