Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Bloggers to stage "internet blackout" to protest new licensing regime

Bloggers to stage "internet blackout" to protest new licensing regime

    By Imelda Saad
    POSTED: 05 Jun 2013 9:07 PM
 
Some prominent bloggers in Singapore will stage a 24-hour "internet blackout" from 12am on Thursday to protest against a new licensing regime for local news sites with substantial reach.

SINGAPORE: Some prominent bloggers in Singapore will stage a 24-hour "internet blackout" from 12am on Thursday to protest against a new licensing regime for local news sites with substantial reach.

The move is spearheaded by a group of at least 32 bloggers and socio-political websites, known as "Free My Internet".

They said the new rules, which require local news websites with substantial reach to come up with a S$50,000 bond and comply with a take-down notice within 24 hours, will limit public discourse.

The authorities have said that they are not intended as a clampdown.

They added that websites can continue as per normal, as they are subjected to the same content standards as before.

- CNA/xq

- wong chee tat :)

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