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Singapore Seeks Even More Control Over Online Media

Posted by timothy on from the eric-holder's-new-consulting-gig dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Currently ranked 149th globally in terms of press freedom, alongside Iraq and Myanmar, the Singapore government has chosen to further tighten its grip on the media instead of letting up. The Media Development Authority (MDA) announced yesterday that 'online news sites' reporting regularly on issues relating to Singapore and have significant reach among readers here will require an individual license from the MDA. Under the regime, website operators have to comply within 24 hours with any directives from the MDA to take down content that breaches standards. These sites also have to put up a 'performance bond' of S$50,000. The Government also plans to amend the Broadcasting Act next year, to ensure that websites which are hosted overseas but report on Singapore news are brought under the licensing framework as well."

3 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Overseas laws by Sigvatr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Usually when a country expects other countries to obey their laws, things don't work out quite so well.

    1. Re:Overseas laws by Trepidity · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Extraterritorial laws can sometimes be enforced, but I'm not sure Singapore is really in a position to do so. The U.S. is probably the most effective at enforcing its laws extraterritorially (much to the dismay of many non-Americans), and the UK does so somewhat with its notorious libel laws, but Singapore ain't no US or UK.

      --
      10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
    2. Re:Overseas laws by Intrepid+imaginaut · · Score: 4, Insightful

      And nevermind that Singapore is a huge port into Asia and often a stopover or destination.

      Surely you mean Hong Kong? Or Manila? The Lion City treads a very fine line at the best of times lah, if they insist on acting like a tinpot dictatorship they will most assuredly be treated as such.

      The world needs Singapore a lot less than Singapore needs the world.