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 :)
Showing posts with label mda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mda. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Yahoo! breaks its silence on MDA licensing scheme
Yahoo! breaks its silence on MDA licensing scheme
By S Ramesh
POSTED: 05 Jun 2013 7:32 PM
Yahoo! has broken its silence on the new licensing rules for online news sites in Singapore, which kicked in on June 1. The response came in a posting on its webpage by Alan Soon, Yahoo!'s country manager for Singapore and managing editor for Southeast Asia.
SINGAPORE: Yahoo! has broken its silence on the new licensing rules for online news sites in Singapore, which kicked in on June 1.
The response came in a posting on its webpage by Alan Soon, Yahoo!'s country manager for Singapore and managing editor for Southeast Asia.
Yahoo! noted that prior to the new licensing framework it was already bound to comply with the Media Development Authority's Internet Code of Practice.
Mr Soon said this key guideline complements Yahoo!'s own internal editorial policies around what is suitable for its readers, and that further regulation is redundant.
Yahoo! noted that the new framework has caused confusion and unsettled both users as well as the media industry.
However, Yahoo! also said the new licensing rules will help pave the way for full accreditation and access for its reporters.
It believed this will help strengthen its editorial reporting.
Yahoo! said as a network, it serves one million unique users in Singapore each day.
Unlike reporters from mainstream media, Yahoo! reporters are not accredited with the Ministry of Communications and Information, and are not given access to government media conferences.
Under the new rules announced on May 28 and which came into effect on June 1, local news sites with a significant reach will require individual licensing.
10 news sites were placed on this list, including Yahoo! Singapore.
These new sites need to put up a performance bond of S$50,000, and will need to comply with any take-down notice from authorities within 24 hours.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By S Ramesh
POSTED: 05 Jun 2013 7:32 PM
Yahoo! has broken its silence on the new licensing rules for online news sites in Singapore, which kicked in on June 1. The response came in a posting on its webpage by Alan Soon, Yahoo!'s country manager for Singapore and managing editor for Southeast Asia.
SINGAPORE: Yahoo! has broken its silence on the new licensing rules for online news sites in Singapore, which kicked in on June 1.
The response came in a posting on its webpage by Alan Soon, Yahoo!'s country manager for Singapore and managing editor for Southeast Asia.
Yahoo! noted that prior to the new licensing framework it was already bound to comply with the Media Development Authority's Internet Code of Practice.
Mr Soon said this key guideline complements Yahoo!'s own internal editorial policies around what is suitable for its readers, and that further regulation is redundant.
Yahoo! noted that the new framework has caused confusion and unsettled both users as well as the media industry.
However, Yahoo! also said the new licensing rules will help pave the way for full accreditation and access for its reporters.
It believed this will help strengthen its editorial reporting.
Yahoo! said as a network, it serves one million unique users in Singapore each day.
Unlike reporters from mainstream media, Yahoo! reporters are not accredited with the Ministry of Communications and Information, and are not given access to government media conferences.
Under the new rules announced on May 28 and which came into effect on June 1, local news sites with a significant reach will require individual licensing.
10 news sites were placed on this list, including Yahoo! Singapore.
These new sites need to put up a performance bond of S$50,000, and will need to comply with any take-down notice from authorities within 24 hours.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
MDA clears air over licensing framework for news websites
MDA clears air over licensing framework for news websites
POSTED: 31 May 2013 5:41 PM
This comes a day after a joint statement released by writers who provide sociopolitical news and analysis online, voicing concerns over an individual licensing framework recently introduced by the MDA.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has come out to clear the air over the recent changes to the licensing framework for news websites.
This comes a day after a joint statement released by writers who provide sociopolitical news and analysis online, voicing concerns over an individual licensing framework recently introduced by the MDA.
The writers said they are concerned about whether the new requirement will impact Singaporeans' ability to receive a diverse spread of news-related information.
In a Facebook post on Friday, MDA said the licensing framework only applies to sites that focus on reporting Singapore news and are notified by MDA that they meet the licensing criteria.
MDA clarified that an individual publishing views on current affairs and trends on his/her personal website or blog does not amount to news reporting.
MDA also stressed that the framework is not an attempt to influence the editorial slant of news sites.
MDA added that there is no change to the content standards for these news sites.
MDA said currently these sites already have to observe content guidelines under the Class Licence.
This means that the sites are required to make best efforts to keep their sites free of harmful contents which are against public interest, public morality, public order, public security and national harmony.
These Class Licensing guidelines will continue to apply under the individual licence.
As for MDA's content guidelines, these are focused on core content concerns that would threaten the social fabric and national interests of Singapore.
Some examples include content that incites racial or religious hatred; misleads and causes mass panic; or advocates or promotes violence.
MDA clarified that it will only step in when complaints are raised to its attention. It would assess if the content is in breach of the content guidelines and merits action by the website owner.
As for take-down requests, MDA said these are not common. In the past two years, MDA has only issued one take-down notice for the "Innocence of Muslims" video.
On the issue of the performance bond of S$50,000, MDA said this is pegged to that put up by niche broadcasters currently.
MDA stressed that this need not necessarily entail cash upfront.
MDA added that licensees can consider options such as banker's guarantee or insurance.
In concluding the post, MDA said it would be happy to engage in further discussions with any licensee who may have concerns about meeting the licence obligations.
On Friday evening, the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) issued a statement on its Facebook page that Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Lina Chiam has filed an adjournment motion to speak on the new media licensing rules at the next Parliament sitting.
This is subject to confirmation by the Parliament Secretariat.
In its statement, SPP said it views MDA's latest licensing regime for websites with grave concern.
- CNA/ir/fa
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 31 May 2013 5:41 PM
This comes a day after a joint statement released by writers who provide sociopolitical news and analysis online, voicing concerns over an individual licensing framework recently introduced by the MDA.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has come out to clear the air over the recent changes to the licensing framework for news websites.
This comes a day after a joint statement released by writers who provide sociopolitical news and analysis online, voicing concerns over an individual licensing framework recently introduced by the MDA.
The writers said they are concerned about whether the new requirement will impact Singaporeans' ability to receive a diverse spread of news-related information.
In a Facebook post on Friday, MDA said the licensing framework only applies to sites that focus on reporting Singapore news and are notified by MDA that they meet the licensing criteria.
MDA clarified that an individual publishing views on current affairs and trends on his/her personal website or blog does not amount to news reporting.
MDA also stressed that the framework is not an attempt to influence the editorial slant of news sites.
MDA added that there is no change to the content standards for these news sites.
MDA said currently these sites already have to observe content guidelines under the Class Licence.
This means that the sites are required to make best efforts to keep their sites free of harmful contents which are against public interest, public morality, public order, public security and national harmony.
These Class Licensing guidelines will continue to apply under the individual licence.
As for MDA's content guidelines, these are focused on core content concerns that would threaten the social fabric and national interests of Singapore.
Some examples include content that incites racial or religious hatred; misleads and causes mass panic; or advocates or promotes violence.
MDA clarified that it will only step in when complaints are raised to its attention. It would assess if the content is in breach of the content guidelines and merits action by the website owner.
As for take-down requests, MDA said these are not common. In the past two years, MDA has only issued one take-down notice for the "Innocence of Muslims" video.
On the issue of the performance bond of S$50,000, MDA said this is pegged to that put up by niche broadcasters currently.
MDA stressed that this need not necessarily entail cash upfront.
MDA added that licensees can consider options such as banker's guarantee or insurance.
In concluding the post, MDA said it would be happy to engage in further discussions with any licensee who may have concerns about meeting the licence obligations.
On Friday evening, the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) issued a statement on its Facebook page that Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Lina Chiam has filed an adjournment motion to speak on the new media licensing rules at the next Parliament sitting.
This is subject to confirmation by the Parliament Secretariat.
In its statement, SPP said it views MDA's latest licensing regime for websites with grave concern.
- CNA/ir/fa
- wong chee tat :)
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