Singapore government asks prominent political news site TOC to get a license

The Singapore government stirred debate last year when it announced that influential news websites reporting local affairs must, if asked, register for a license to continue running. This falls in line with current requirements for traditional broadcasters. While critics condemn the move as another act of censorship, the Media Development Authority (MDA) has defended the move because it gives a more “consistent regulatory framework.”

Today, the government announced that The Online Citizen (TOC), an established political news site in Singapore, must also register under the Broadcasting (Class Licence) Notification.

“MDA has assessed that the TOC website engages in the propagation, promotion or discussion of political issues relating to Singapore. As a corporate entity, TOC Ltd is susceptible to foreign influence through the receipt of foreign funding. MDA will therefore require that TOC Ltd undertake not to receive foreign funding for its provision, management and/or operation as part of the registration,” the government agency said in a statement.

It continues: “MDA’s registration requirement seeks to uphold the principle that politics must remain a matter for Singapore and Singaporeans alone.” The agency claims that the registration won’t affect what TOC may publish on the website.

Other websites like The Independent and Mothership.sg have registered, while Breakfast Network chose to shut down when faced with the same request.

See more: Go away MDA, and leave Singapore’s news startups alone