"It is timely to calibrate the government's approach towards public expression to promote a more creative and innovative society and culture," the committee recommended, although it emphasised that law and order concerns remained valid.

"We need to find a new balance that maintains law and order and yet not stifle the creativity of our people.

"It is recommended that government reviews its regulatory approach towards public expression, moving towards regulating by exception, with a light and transparent touch."

The committee is under an overall government panel tasked to find ways to retool the Singapore economy and society to make it more competitive amid rising regional and global challenges.

Headed by acting manpower minister Ng Eng Hen, the group focused on social safety nets, personal expression, censorship and promoting arts and sports.

The committee said the government should relax rules on the granting of licenses for public activities, recommending a "green lane" for events that will be given automatic licensing and a "red lane" for those that need greater scrutiny.

"This is a significant shift from the current approach, which is perceived as lacking in transparency, to one that specifies explicitly what is not allowed and those not specified are deemed permissible," it said.

The committee also called for the the designation of "spaces" where artists can perform without the need to get a public entertainment license and suggested that authorities no longer vet all play scripts before they are staged.

Currently, public events ranging from political rallies to art exhibits cannot be held unless a public entertainment license is obtained from the police.

For plays, clear guidelines on what is objectionable should be spelled out rather than having the scripts vetted beforehand.

Those who violate the guidelines could then be penalised by having to submit their future scripts for vetting.

The committee further recommended that an appeals advisory committee of citizens should be established to review cases where performances are deemed to have violated guidelines, and to make suggestions to the regulatory authorities.

The committee also called for the removal of a s$10,000 (US$5700) bond for performance art and forum theatre -- both unscripted forms of drama -- saying these should be considered for government funding along with other forms of art.

"This would be a clear signal of greater government tolerance for more unconventional art forms," it said.

Authorities ceased funding and imposed the bond on these forms of art after an incident in 1994 in which artist Josef Ng sparked a controversy by shaving his pubic hair during a performance to protest the arrest of 12 men for homosexual solicitation.

A free-speech corner here has been largely unused because of a slew of restrictions such as a ban on the use of microphones and music. Speakers also need to register ahead and inform the police of their intended topic.

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