Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Double Standards , MDA ? Singing Of Dialect Songs On TV Charity Shows - Where Shall We Draw The Line ?

28 May 2008

The Sichuan Earthquake Charity Show on Sunday , which took the Mediacorp Artistes just days to put up was indeed a great success - within the three hour show itself , the amount raised for the quake victims was close to $7 million in total ! Well Done , Singapore ! Once again , it shows that Singaporeans are indeed a generous lot when it comes to helping people who are in real serious need , a small country made up of many kind and big - hearted people !

While the efforts of everyone involved has to be complimented for such a roaring success , given the short period of time it took to prepare and still was able to touch many hearts to give in generously , however , one particular issue should have caught some , if not many of our attention - the singing of dialect songs on TV Charity Shows !

With Mediacorp Channel 8 having organised two Charity Shows within the same month , in a space of three weeks , one can't help but wonder if it was a case of double standards by the relevant authorities involved - MDA or the Mediacorp organising committee themselves .

Cos , if u would remember , the first TV Charity Show to be organised by Channel 8 this year - Thye Hua Kwan Charity Show 2008 一心一德为善乐 - which was shown on Channel 8 some three weeks ago on 4 May 2008 , Taiwanese actor - 王識賢 , the Lead Actor in the hugely popular Taiwanese Drama Serial -意难忘 The Unforgetable Memory currently showing on weekdays on Channel 8 could sing his songs in dialect ( Hokkien ) , not one but two songs , both in dialects ! But on Sunday , in the Sichuan Earthquake Charity Show , it was reported that the cast of 881 who was to perform a song item - singing a popular Hokkien song - A Small Umbrella but the difference is : They had to re - write the lyrics of that song to a Chinese version as they were not allowed to sing that song on TV in it's original Hokkien version !

It was learnt that through various newspaper reports that - in order to still be able to perform that song , Royston Tan and his gang had to translate and convert the original Hokkien song to a Chinese version ! Actually , it was already not the first time that they were not allowed to sing their song in it's original Hokkien version ! Flashback to last year , in a particular Charity Show on Channel 8 , they were also not allowed to sing the hit Theme Song from the Local Movie - 881 in it's original Hokkien version and had to sing it in Chinese instead !

Why the double standards , MDA ? Where should we draw the line , REALLY between what's acceptable and what's not allowed on TV ? In the first place , why impose so much restrictions on the performers when in the first place - they are after all , being invited to perform for a good cause - for charity , for people in real need of these donations ? Why make things and life so difficult for people ?

In the first place , considering that it is for Charity purposes , shouldn't it only be right that the relevant authorities NOT put so much boundaries and restrictions on the performers , who are after all , not only invited to help raise funds for the needy , but also at the same time - by performing and entertaining us with their songs and dance , are in fact also at the same time doing their own small bit in order to be able to contribute in whatever means they can to help the needy too ! So , why make life so difficult for people and impose so much resrictions and boundaries in front of them ?

While one understands that there is still a set of rules and code of conduct and guidelines for people to follow , one feels that in the case of Charity , the relevant authorities should help the needy too by bending the rules a bit - if it means that no serious harm will be done by allowing the dialect songs to be sung on TV Charity Shows ! And I really do wonder and must ask the relevant people in charge : What harm will it cause or really bring ( if any ) in allowing dialect songs to be sung on TV - Especially for Charity Shows ? Will there , is there REALLY any wrong in doing so ? And why so ?

One feels that by allowing the songs to be sung in it's original Hokkien or dialect version , it will in fact help to bring in even more donations and help raise more funds for the needy persons instead , as it will be able to help connect with the people of the elder and older generations even much more and bring the ' gap' much closer too to also be moved and contribute their bit for Charity too ! Don't u think so ?

* Feel free to share your views and discuss this hot issue with us HERE ! *

Should the singing of original Hokkien or dialect songs be allowed on TV on TV Charity Shows ? Why or Why not ? How should the relevant authorities , u feel should draw the line ? How much is too much ? Or do u feel , like what has been mentioned here - the relevant authorities should consider NOT TO IMPOSE such boundaries and restrictions on the people as it is for Charity purposes ?

* Come On , have your say and participate in the discussions with us ! We welcome your views ! *


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