Reining In The Internet

The Internet has allowed for a diverse range of views to be heard, some of which might be critical of the government. Will efforts to control dissenting voices bear any fruit, or are authorities facing a losing battle?

By Thusitha de Silva

Graphic: Muhammad Sabri

Three months ago, the Singapore government introduced a policy requiring websites that report regularly on Singapore news, and have at least 50,000 visitors a month to obtain licenses that have to be renewed annually.

They will also be required to remove content in breach of Media Development Authority (MDA) standards within 24 hours of notification.

The introduction of this policy, considered draconian by some, underscores a complex relationship with the Internet that governments around the world are increasingly engaged in.

The Internet has the power to develop communities which the authorities have very little control over. Coffee shop and cabbie talk of the past has now gone online, and viral.

The potential audience for fresh views has become larger. There is no time limit to the chatter, and the topics of conversation have become far more diverse.

Governments face the heat because every policy can be closely scrutinised and critiqued on a shared platform. The Internet effectively allows for an instant reaction on policy issues.

Not long after MDA’s move, a new website — The Independent — entered Singapore’s blogosphere. The website aims to bring in-depth perspective and analysis on current affairs, economics, and politics in Singapore.

The Independent caught the attention of MDA, which notified the creators to register the website under the Broadcasting (Class Licence) Notification. As part of the registration, The Independent cannot accept foreign funding.

The Independent is unlike many other non-mainstream websites in Singapore as two key people in its management team are former heavyweight journalists from Singapore Press Holdings.

The website says it seeks to provide “responsible, intelligent and robust journalism” to the Singapore public. Make no mistake — this represents a significant step-up for the local blogosphere. It has been crying out for a website of this nature run by professional journalists.

It is hoped that the website can stay true to its stated purpose and gain a reputation for good journalism.

The Internet is a living organism that is constantly growing. Governments that seek to control information flow on the Internet face a losing battle. When one tentacle is clamped down, another one grows immediately somewhere else.

For Singapore, it is hoped that the likes of The Independent will start a trend of robust non-mainstream journalism. Set the pace, do a good job and others may follow. It will be an incremental process as such websites test the waters to see how far they can or should go.

To date, the authorities haven’t named any websites that fall under its new licensing regime. If it does name one, it’s likely that another similar website will soon sprout up somewhere else — internet regulation can’t stop quality ideas.

Thusitha de Silva is an adjunct lecturer at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, teaching business journalism and news copy-editing courses.