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Yaacob calls for Internet code of conduct
SINGAPORE : Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, has called on the online community to develop an Internet code of conduct.
This is an area being looked at by the Media Development Authority (MDA) to build a safe online environment.
But in the case of the code of conduct, Dr Yaacob said the online community must take the lead.
"The Internet is very much a public space, and the community is best placed to determine what online behaviour is acceptable and what is not," Dr Yaacob said. "Moderators, website owners and the broader Internet community can help to set the tone and guidelines for online interaction and behaviour."
Dr Yaacob also addressed concerns raised by members over cyber bullying.
He said Singapore has adopted a two-pronged approach of legislative measures and public education to tackle the problem, and the Home Affairs Ministry is reviewing legal instruments to deal with wrongful Internet behaviour.
He also suggested that the online community should foster a culture of netiquette or a code of conduct to encourage gracious behaviour online.
Dr Yaacob said: "Different people have different views on what constitutes good netiquette. But I think there is common ground on some fundamental principles, such as respect for differing views, not abusing fellow netizens, not making false statements, and being considerate to one another.
"Just as we have social norms to guide our interaction in the physical world, there should also be similar norms to guide online behaviour and interaction."
Given the widening reach of the Internet, the ministry will also focus on educating the public on ways to navigate cyberspace safely.
Outlining these plans, Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Chan Chun Sing, said these include the ability to research and verify information, to distinguish between fact and opinion, and to develop new insights from diverse ideas.
"We also need to adopt a disciplined approach to check our 'confirmation bias', or tendency to only access and accept information that supports our pre-existing suppositions, and to evaluate the diversity of ideas and information out there to see how things can and should be understood in context. These are life skills that we must continually hone," he said.
Mr Chan said the Inter-Ministry Cyber Wellness Committee has been established to promote responsible use of the Internet across public, private and people sector initiatives.
The Media Development Authority (MDA) has set up a Parents Portal to equip parents with cyber wellness knowledge and skills.
Mr Chan said cyber wellness includes an understanding of the risks of harmful online behaviour and an awareness of how to protect oneself.
Meanwhile, the National Library Board is working with the Education Ministry (MOE) to develop resources for primary and lower secondary students.
MOE is also collaborating with MDA on tools for upper secondary and tertiary students.
There will also be initiatives to reach out to senior citizens.
Mr Chan said the ministry will also continue to support initiatives that protect children against cyber-bullying, as well as measures that curb gaming addictions.
Moving forward, Mr Chan said the MDA will review the role of the Internet and Media Advisory Committee to see how it could play an even more pro-active role in equipping Singaporeans with skills to navigate cyberspace responsibly.
He said: "The evolving Internet and media environment is a new terrain for many of us individually and collectively as a society. Our individual ability to master the skills...and navigate in this environment will help define our aspirations, achievements and contributions in life.
"Our collective ability to define the rules we want to operate in will define our society. Going forward, we need to strengthen our information quotient both at the individual and societal level for us to thrive."
Additionally, consumers can expect more protection of their personal data next year. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said Singapore's infocomm and media ecosystem must be one that consumers can trust.
Dr Yaacob was responding to a Parlimentary question MP for West Coast GRC Arthur Fong.
Mr Fong said there are alleged incidents of companies who through legitimate means obtain clients' personal data but then sell them commercially and called for a law to address this or for the authorities to regulate this.
Dr Yaacob: "MICA is formulating a Data Protection Law to prohibit the unnecessary collection of personal data, as well as the unauthorised use and disclosure of such data by organisations.
"MICA has also proposed to create a National Do-Not-Call Registry. This will allow consumers to opt out of unsolicited marketing messages received through phone, SMS, MMS or fax. Consumers can expect the Data Protection Bill to be introduced in Parliament the third quarter of this year, and for the Registry to be set up by end 2013."
- CNA/ms/ck
SINGAPORE : Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, has called on the online community to develop an Internet code of conduct.
This is an area being looked at by the Media Development Authority (MDA) to build a safe online environment.
But in the case of the code of conduct, Dr Yaacob said the online community must take the lead.
"The Internet is very much a public space, and the community is best placed to determine what online behaviour is acceptable and what is not," Dr Yaacob said. "Moderators, website owners and the broader Internet community can help to set the tone and guidelines for online interaction and behaviour."
Dr Yaacob also addressed concerns raised by members over cyber bullying.
He said Singapore has adopted a two-pronged approach of legislative measures and public education to tackle the problem, and the Home Affairs Ministry is reviewing legal instruments to deal with wrongful Internet behaviour.
He also suggested that the online community should foster a culture of netiquette or a code of conduct to encourage gracious behaviour online.
Dr Yaacob said: "Different people have different views on what constitutes good netiquette. But I think there is common ground on some fundamental principles, such as respect for differing views, not abusing fellow netizens, not making false statements, and being considerate to one another.
"Just as we have social norms to guide our interaction in the physical world, there should also be similar norms to guide online behaviour and interaction."
Given the widening reach of the Internet, the ministry will also focus on educating the public on ways to navigate cyberspace safely.
Outlining these plans, Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Chan Chun Sing, said these include the ability to research and verify information, to distinguish between fact and opinion, and to develop new insights from diverse ideas.
"We also need to adopt a disciplined approach to check our 'confirmation bias', or tendency to only access and accept information that supports our pre-existing suppositions, and to evaluate the diversity of ideas and information out there to see how things can and should be understood in context. These are life skills that we must continually hone," he said.
Mr Chan said the Inter-Ministry Cyber Wellness Committee has been established to promote responsible use of the Internet across public, private and people sector initiatives.
The Media Development Authority (MDA) has set up a Parents Portal to equip parents with cyber wellness knowledge and skills.
Mr Chan said cyber wellness includes an understanding of the risks of harmful online behaviour and an awareness of how to protect oneself.
Meanwhile, the National Library Board is working with the Education Ministry (MOE) to develop resources for primary and lower secondary students.
MOE is also collaborating with MDA on tools for upper secondary and tertiary students.
There will also be initiatives to reach out to senior citizens.
Mr Chan said the ministry will also continue to support initiatives that protect children against cyber-bullying, as well as measures that curb gaming addictions.
Moving forward, Mr Chan said the MDA will review the role of the Internet and Media Advisory Committee to see how it could play an even more pro-active role in equipping Singaporeans with skills to navigate cyberspace responsibly.
He said: "The evolving Internet and media environment is a new terrain for many of us individually and collectively as a society. Our individual ability to master the skills...and navigate in this environment will help define our aspirations, achievements and contributions in life.
"Our collective ability to define the rules we want to operate in will define our society. Going forward, we need to strengthen our information quotient both at the individual and societal level for us to thrive."
Additionally, consumers can expect more protection of their personal data next year. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said Singapore's infocomm and media ecosystem must be one that consumers can trust.
Dr Yaacob was responding to a Parlimentary question MP for West Coast GRC Arthur Fong.
Mr Fong said there are alleged incidents of companies who through legitimate means obtain clients' personal data but then sell them commercially and called for a law to address this or for the authorities to regulate this.
Dr Yaacob: "MICA is formulating a Data Protection Law to prohibit the unnecessary collection of personal data, as well as the unauthorised use and disclosure of such data by organisations.
"MICA has also proposed to create a National Do-Not-Call Registry. This will allow consumers to opt out of unsolicited marketing messages received through phone, SMS, MMS or fax. Consumers can expect the Data Protection Bill to be introduced in Parliament the third quarter of this year, and for the Registry to be set up by end 2013."
- CNA/ms/ck
