Laws and regulations relating to print publishing and imported publications.

Licensing Of Printing Press Operators & Newspaper Companies
Premises For Printing Press Operators
Regulation Of Content In Print Publications
Regulation Of Imported Publications
Restrictions & Prohibitions On Advertisements
Undesirable Publications

• Printing press operators and newspaper companies are licensed and regulated under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act.
  
  
• Such operators and companies must ensure that they have the necessary licences/permits to operate printing presses, print/publish newspapers, sell/distribute foreign newspapers, etc. The definition of “newspapers” includes local and foreign periodicals (e.g. foreign trade magazines).
  
  
• They must also comply with the laws imposed. For instance, the directors of newspaper companies must be Singapore Citizens.

  See:	• Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (Cap. 206) • Regulations on Newspaper Permits • FAQs for Newspaper Permits • Regulations on Printing Press Licence • FAQs for Printing Press Licence

back to top

Premises For Printing Press Operators

• Operators/Owners must ensure that the premises are approved for the operation of printing presses. Approval is granted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
  
  
• Your premises may also require other approvals. For instance, fire safety works must be approved by the Fire Safety and Shelter Department (FSSD).

  See:	Selecting Premises – Get Your Premises Up and Running

back to top

Regulation Of Content In Print Publications

• The Media Development Authority (MDA) issues content guidelines in consultation with the industry.
  
  
• Action is taken for breaches of content guidelines. Industry players who wish to appeal against MDA’s decisions can petition to the President of Singapore for local publications, and to the Broadcast, Publications and Arts Appeal Committee (BPAA) for imported publications.
  
  
• The Publications Consultative Panel, comprising members from a cross-section of society, has also been set up to encourage the public to participate in the censorship process. The panel advises and gives feedback on publications and MDA guidelines.

  See:	Media & I - Publications

back to top

Regulation Of Imported Publications

• Under the Registered Importers’ Scheme, importers of publications self-regulate. They ensure that publications (and audio material) imported comply with MDA’s content guidelines in exchange for faster import/export clearance.
  
  
• The key responsibility of registered importers is to ensure that the publications do not feature content that may be objectionable on moral, racial or religious grounds or are detrimental to national interests.

  See:	Registered Importers’ Scheme

back to top

Restrictions & Prohibitions On Advertisements

• The responsibility of complying with restrictions and prohibitions on advertisements falls on the shoulders of advertisers.
  
  
• However, businesses in the printing and publishing industry that accept advertising may want to familiarise themselves with the restrictions and prohibitions. For instance, advertisements promoting tobacco products and smoking are strictly prohibited.
  
  
• The legal requirements and industry best practices for advertisements can be found in the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice.

back to top

Undesirable Publications

• Importing, distributing and reproducing undesirable publications is strictly disallowed in Singapore under the Undesirable Publications Act.
  
  
• Examples of undesirable publications include obscene publications which deprave and corrupt persons and objectionable publications which are likely to cause ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups.

  See:	Undesirable Publications Act (Cap. 338)

back to top