Press accreditation for bloggers?

[BuiKia]

I would like to see how they implement this.

Press accreditation for bloggers can be part of an online code
From Bhavan Jaipragas
04:45 AM Oct 29, 2012


I agree with Professor Ang Peng Hwa, in the report "Engaging bloggers and non-mainstream outlets" (Oct 27), that there are good reasons to grant them press accreditation, though not only due to space and time constraints at press events.

Over the past months, prominent bloggers here have almost unequivocally rejected the proposal to have an Internet code of conduct, mainly because they feel that it is a veiled effort to curtail free speech online.

If the Government is serious about having a voluntary code to foster online debates that are civil, fact-based and yet robust, then it should address the trust deficit by incentivising bloggers to participate in one.

Granting participating bloggers press accreditation on par with the mainstream media would be a good start. These bloggers could then use their access to Government press events to produce original news content, analyses and commentaries.

Such a move would also allow bloggers to stake their independence more than ever before, since their content would then be based on their observations and reportage, and not those of the mainstream media as is now the case.

In return, they could adhere to a code of ethics that, in principle, would repudiate hate speech, defamation and the breach of other laws.

Other incentives that may encourage adherence to the code could include granting participants non-statutory access to information, as well as statutory provisions that recognise compliance with the code as a mitigating factor in any defamation proceedings.

The idea that this framework would have a chilling effect on freedom of speech online would be moot, since participation would be voluntary.

Bloggers with no interest in the incentives offered or who do not believe in the merits of a code of conduct could simply operate within the law outside the framework.

There would be challenges in constructing such an incentive-based regulatory approach. For example, bloggers with diverse interests and values would have to agree on a common set of principles and decide how to deal with participants who do not then adhere to it.

The Government, too, would have to exercise considerable political will to grant incentives of value to bloggers.

In general, however, this approach would signal that the Government is ready to empower bloggers to be part of a media landscape that welcomes a plurality of ideas and robust debate, instead of treating them as adversaries.

Offering substantive incentives, including press accreditation, could be the game changer that persuades influential bloggers here to commit to a code of ethics that would set them apart from the virulence that is growing online.

 

[zhihau]

ahahahahahaha ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... what a bunch of control freaks :p:p:p

 

[captainxerox]

new govt ministry coming soon so got lots of stupid ideas to existence and drawing from state purse to pay for these ministers, parl sec, deputy minister, minister of state etc

 

[Fook Seng]

ahahahahahaha ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... what a bunch of control freaks :p:p:p

Still trying to deal with New Media using Old Media ways. Even the thought of it shows how little they understand what New Media is.

 

[po2wq]

... Offering substantive incentives, including press accreditation, could be the game changer that persuades influential bloggers here to commit to a code of ethics that would set them apart from the virulence that is growing online.

wtf is press accreditation? ... u can put ze sign "endorsed by dat 154th" @ ur blog? ...

 

[streetsmart73]

ahahahahahaha ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... what a bunch of control freaks :p:p:p

hi there


1. bro, such specimen is just a typical sinkie sheep mah!
2. no eye see.

 

[cunnilaubu]

I don't think Singapore Prick Holdings & MediaCorpse would welcome "officially" endorsed competitions from bloggers.

 

[Glaringly]

wtf is press accreditation?

A shot in the foot for bloggers. Wonder will there be any takers?

 

[Narong Wongwan]

If china can censor internet, North Korea can ban it altogether.....so can we!

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

ahahahahahaha ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... what a bunch of control freaks :p:p:p

My sentiments exactly. What they can't destroy, they attempt to control. These are their true and permanent colours.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

This writer is as politically naive as a papaya with obviously no knowledge of history or politics.

The Newspaper and Printing Presses Act coupled with directorship appointments and infiltration by pro government as well as ISD officers was how the mainstream media came to be fully controlled by the PAP.

Press accreditation as a concept is not the means to control the MSM but merely to give it a veneer of respectability or credibility in the eyes of the unsuspecting public.

Those more politically aware naturally realize that press accreditation is nothing but flimsy hogwash and a public relations exercise. The main levers of control are far more subtle, and if I may add, powerful and frightening.

Accreditation for alternative media is nothing but an exercise at co-option, much like how publichouse.sg has been co-opted into the establishment fold. It is also nothing but a public relations exercise much like press accreditation for the MSM, to promote suitably "moderate" sites as credible in the eyes of the unsuspecting public.

Bloggers who have gone viral now routinely get invitations to meet ministers in dialogue sessions as a chance to air grievances. The publicity and recognition are the means of softening them so they hold back the more virulent or biting commentary that would actually cause political damage. Gin Tai has been once such example. Of course Andrew Loh has been the classic case.

Accreditation coupled with recognition and publicity are the new tools of control the govt is try use to control alternative media.

 

[laksaboy]

So what happens if bloggers do not get accreditation?

 

[Lestat]

So if the blogger gets the accreditation and starts to write something negative about PAP, what would then happen?

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

So if the blogger gets the accreditation and starts to write something negative about PAP, what would then happen?

He will not lose his accreditation. The idea is not get people to stop criticizing but to reduce the tone and to avoid certain OB markers. They are betting that getting invited to exclusive events, getting the same press access to events like SPH reporters, having an inside scoop on ministerial dialogue sessions, etc, will cause bloggers to adjust so that they remain in the good books.

The idea is very old, very unoriginal, but they are betting it will work.

 

[HorGauGan]

get accredited by the pap doggie government? sounds like wat pap funded dog andrew loh hong puey would do!!!! :oIo:

 

[HorGauGan]

A shot in the foot for bloggers. Wonder will there be any takers?

PAP dog Andrew Loh hong Puey would bow down and kiss Yaaccoob's doggie feet for accreditation!!! :oIo:

 

[zhihau]

The publicity and recognition are the means of softening them so they hold back the more virulent or biting commentary that would actually cause political damage.

me would love to see these morons engaging Mr Lucky Tan for a start, would truly be refreshing
公道自在人心，众人皆知。accreditation? or an attempt to drag bloggers to the levels of SPH?

 

[chonburifc]

Accreditated by 154 = Contents verified and fit for mass distribution.