The MDA (Media Development Authority) in Singapore had introduced a new ruling, whereby online news site exceeding 50000 unique views will be subjected to a license which includes financial bond as part of the conditions, ensuring the articles published online will be on par with their other traditional media counterparts. This applies, right now to 10 websites, and this license is subject to renewal every year.
The online community had been extremely vocal over this. Many questions are field (and yet to be answered). But they are all missing a point- How is this legislation/ruling passed in parliament with no votes from MPs? It's just like a normal day in the office, checking Twitter in the afternoon and everyone's talking about this. Even newspapers reporting this did not mentioned about a debate in parliament or vote. Given the political structure of Singapore lower house, with majority of MPs belonging to PAP, high possibility of the ruling being pass is high. But what I'm interested is the point of view and opinions of MPs (be it opposition or otherwise).
I'm all for the regulation of Internet media if it calls for greater scrutiny and responsibility journalism online in part from the print media, but online news portal with no physical presence? I don't think it is necessary. The top priority of having such online regulation is to address the following:
1. Cyber-bullying
Most people are now turning into social media to taunt their preys, calling them name and defecating photos and putting them up online. This behaviour should not be tolerated, and please punish them.
2. Imposing of super-injunction to the online community
High prolific cases whereby a gag order is being imposed on traditional news outlet but not the general public on a certain footballer in the UK is being exploited by most people. (Think Giggs). There should be a law on this.
3. Social behaviour (especially hate speech)
Forget about defaming others, but the use of vulgar languages. Enforcing a law whereby it is a criminal case if someone online with the malicious intention to hurt (mentally or physically), including threats, or photos, etc others punishable by law, and not just waiting for the victims to report and take a civil suit. This tantamount to someone spitting or shouting the F*** word to you on the streets and should not be tolerated.
Forget about the bonds and all, just impose this as a deterrence and all will be fine. Better yet if UN convention can have a common internet laws and convention for all countries to adopt (like tort law and common laws amongst most commonwealth nations).
P.S If Xia Xue (one of the more famous bloggers) falls under the category and need a license, I bet some company will sponsor her the financial bond.
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