GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS AT LOCAL MAINSTREAM MEDIA ORGANISATIONS
Leon Perera asked if the Government played a role in determining or influencing senior management appointments in local mainstream media organisations, namely, Mediacorp and Singapore Press Holdings.
Janil Puthucheary stated that the local mainstream media organisations were commercial entities, with decisions on senior management appointments made by the Board and management of Mediacorp and Singapore Press Holdings. He added that legislative safeguards to regulate foreign ownership and some appointments in these organisations were in place to prevent media organisations from being influenced or manipulated by foreign interests.
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ADVERTISEMENT IN MEDIA TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES
Leon Perera asked how the Government deployed print, TV, or radio advertising to raise awareness of specific policies or programmes.
Janil Puthucheary replied that the Government used various online and offline platforms to reach different segments of society, and the platform choice was determined by factors such as the nature of the content, the target demographic segment, their media consumption habits and language preferences.
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ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE WORKERS SUBJECTED TO STAY-HOME NOTICES ARE EFFECTIVELY SEGREGATED IN DORMITORIES
Of the 30,000 Chinese workers returning to Singapore, Dennis Tan asked how many were in dormitory accommodation, and what arrangements were in place to ensure compliance with the Stay-Home Notices and other directives.
Josephine Teo replied that a majority of those have yet to return to Singapore, due to MOM’s strict requirement on prior approval to return. Among those who have not returned, an estimated 25% stay in HDB units while 75% stay in other accommodation including dormitories and private residences.
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CONSIDERATION TO EVALUATE BATTERY-SWAPPING AS ALTERNATIVE TO CHARGING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES CHARGING POINTS
Noting the 28,000 charging points for electric vehicles (EV) target, Leon Perera asked if the Government was evaluating battery-swapping as an alternative to charging.
Chan Chun Sing replied that the Government was exploring battery-swapping as a complement to charging and the efficacy of battery swapping, among other factors, would influence the final design of the EV charging network.
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CONSIDERATION TO FORMULATE REGULATIONS BINDING ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS DEPLOYED LOCALLY
Leon Perera asked if the Government was considering formulating regulations binding on artificial intelligence (AI) systems deployed locally to ensure AI’s ethical and safe use.
S Iswaran said that the Government did not have immediate plans to legislate on AI regulation as the AI technology was still nascent. However, there were existing initiatives to ensure AI’s safe and ethical use, and to promote consumer trust and innovation such as Singapore’s Model AI Governance Framework.
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RESILIENCE OF SINGAPORE’S ECONOMY AND SUPPLY CHAIN (In light of COVID-19)
As part of economic defence, Leon Perera asked if the Government had considered nurturing domestic manufacturing capacity for critical necessities in produce categories like medical disposables.
Chee Hong Tat said that the economic agencies worked closely with companies to diversify our supplies for materials, manpower, and food. The Government would continue working with businesses to improve supply chain resilience by buying inputs and essential supplies from difference countries, and building up local production capacity where possible and economically viable.
Read the full exchange here.