Protests in Singapore over news sites “censorship”
A new government policy that requires some news websites to obtain licenses and possibly to remove offensive content has led to public protests in Mong Lim Park, Singapore amidst claims that the new laws amount to censorship.
The protest hashtag #FreeMyInternet
The new law requires sites with traffic in excess of 50,000 visitors a month to obtain annual licenses and remove any content considered objectionable by the government within 24 hours of notification. Obtaining a license requires the lodgement of a bond of 50,000 Singapore dollars.
Associated Press estimated that 1000 people protested in public against the policy.
“This is definitely an attempt at censorship, and it’s quite plain to see that this regulation is not in the interests of anyone but the government,” said blogger Ravi Philemon.
Singapore’s communications and information minister, Yaacob Ibrahim said personal blogs and news commentary sites will not be affected.
Human Rights Watch said that the rule “casts a chill over the city-state’s robust and free-wheeling online communities, and will clearly limit Singaporeans’ access to independent media.”
Yahoo, whose Singapore unit is affected by the new law, said in a statement that it was important that “regulations and guidelines remain meaningful and do not become a tool that restricts freedom of expression and genuine debate.”