Major online websites in Singapore to protest against licensing requirement

May 30, 2013

30 May 2013

PRESS RELEASE

The Media Development Authority had, on Tuesday, introduced a “licensing framework” that would require “online news sites” to put up a “performance bond” of $50,000 and “comply within 24 hours to MDA’s directions to remove content that is found to be in breach of content standards”.

As part of the community of websites in Singapore that provide sociopolitical news and analysis to Singaporeans, we are concerned about the impact of the newly-introduced requirement on fellow Singaporeans’ ability to receive diverse news information.

While the S$50,000 performance bond is a drop in the ocean for a mainstream news outlet with an online presence, it would potentially be beyond the means of volunteer run and personal blogging platforms like ours. Hence, MDA’s claim that the licensing regime is intended to equalize the playing field between online and offline news is incorrect: the regulations will disproportionately affect us.

Further, we believe that the introduction of the licensing regime has not gone through the proper and necessary consultation and had been introduced without clear guidance. In a typical public consultation exercise, a government agency will publish a draft regulation with detailed explanation and issue a press release to invite members of the public to send in feedback for consideration. We observe this is not the case for the licensing regime.

We call on the Ministry of Communications and Information to withdraw the licensing regime. We call upon our elected representatives to oppose the licensing regime.

It is in the interest of Singaporeans and the long-term future for Singapore that the licensing regime be withdrawn.

The new licensing regime has the very real potential to reduce the channels available to Singaporeans to receive news and analysis of the sociopolitical situation in Singapore and it is in the interest of all Singaporeans to guard against the erosion of news channels that Singaporeans should rightfully have access to.

These new regulations significantly impact Singaporeans’ constitutionally protected right to free speech, and they should not be introduced without the most rigorous public debate and discussion.

The new regulations, and the manner in which they have been imposed by regulatory fiat, are unacceptable in any developed democracy.

Leong Sze Hian – http://leongszehian.com/

Andrew Loh – http://publichouse.sg

Ravi Philemon – http://www.raviphilemon.net/

Kumaran Pillai – http://sgvoize.wordpress.com/

Terry Xu – http://theonlinecitizen.com/

Richard Wan – http://www.tremeritus.com/

Choo Zheng Xi – http://theonlinecitizen.com/

Howard Lee – http://theonlinecitizen.com/

Rachel Zeng- http://rachelzeng.wordpress.com/,

http://singaporeantideathpenaltycampaign.wordpress.com/

Roy Ngerng – http://thehearttruths.com/

Kirsten Han – http://spuddings.net/

Gilbert Goh – http://www.transitioning.org/

Nizam Ismail – http://nizamosaurus.wordpress.com/

Lynn Lee – http://www.lianainfilms.com/

Biddy Low – http://publichouse.sg/

Alex Au – http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/

Martyn See – http://singaporerebel.blogspot.sg/

Elaine Ee – http://publichouse.sg/

Lim Han Thon – http://publichouse.sg

Joshua Chiang

Donaldson Tan – http://newasiarepublic.com

Stephanie Chok – http://littlemskaypoh.wordpress.com

Jolovan Wham – http://www.workfairsingapore.wordpress.com

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.