The government of
Singapore’s regulatory actions against two prominent online news websites is a serious setback for freedom of expression on the Internet.
The Media Development Authority (MDA) ordered
The Online Citizen in September 2014 and
The Mothershipin March to obtain licenses under the Broadcasting Act of 2013 to continue their online publishing. The terms of the license give officials virtually unlimited authority to force the removal of any content that they consider violates broadly defined notions of “the public interest, public order or national harmony” or contains content that “offends against good taste or decency.”
“Tight government control over printed publications, radio, and TV has forced Singaporeans to turn to online media for independent news and analysis – but now even that limited space for expression is under serious threat,” said
Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. “Singapore should stop placing onerous, broad restrictions on news websites and respect that media freedom is a centerpiece of modern, rights-respecting countries.”
