Reuters: S'pore moves to curb popular news website ahead of elections

[SNAblog]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS...Type=RSS&feedName=internetNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Singapore moves to curb popular news website ahead of elections

SINGAPORE | Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:12pm EST

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore plans to impose restrictions on a liberal, popular news website in what appears to be an attempt to prevent it from becoming a political force in general elections Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong may call this year.

The Prime Minister's Office plans to designate "The Online Citizen" (www.onlinecitizen.com) as a "political association," which means the website is barred from supporting any political party or candidate in local elections.

It will also be banned from accepting donations from abroad.

"As a website that provides coverage and analysis of political issues, TOC (The Online Citizen) has the potential to influence the opinions of their readership and shape political outcomes in Singapore," said the Registry of Political Donations, which comes under the Prime Minister's Office.

"It has been gazetted to ensure that it is not funded by foreign elements or sources," the registry added.

The Online Citizen, which is run by volunteers, declined comment.

Oppositions politicians in Singapore have complained of biased coverage by the city-state's newspapers and television.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Singapore 133rd among 175 countries in its 2009 World Press Freedom Index.

An increasing number of Singaporeans, in particular the young, have been turning to websites such as The Online Citizen and Temasek Review (www.temasekreview.com) for alternative views about developments in Singapore.

The Online Citizen, for example, has lobbied against laws that discriminate against homosexuals, taking a different stance from newspapers published by Singapore Press Holdings, which generally adopt a pro-government stance.

Singapore has gazetted several groups as political associations in the past, including the Singapore arm of a regional human rights advocacy body. The action against The Online Citizen is the first against a website.

Other restrictions The Online Citizen will face once it becomes a political association include a requirement that it list the identities of its owners, editorial team and administrators.

It must also designate a president, treasurer and secretary who will be held responsible for the preparation and accuracy of reports about donations to the site.

Prime Minister Lee told members of his ruling People's Action Party (PAP) to prepare for elections during an annual meeting on Nov 28. Although elections need not be held before February 2012, some observers believe polls could take place as early as March this year.

Investors have been drawn to Singapore, a financial center and manufacturing hub, for its stability and the PAP, founded by Lee's father Lee Kuan Yew, has ruled Singapore since independence in 1965.

The country's opposition parties currently have just two of 84 seats in Parliament but may make inroads during coming polls amid a widening income gap and unhappiness over rising property prices.

 

[Watchman]

Singaporeans should know what to do by now .

They no longer need spoon feeding .

Even if one day Singapore will be in
martial law or total news blockage .

 

[BusNo64]

Singaporeans should know what to do by now .

They no longer need spoon feeding .

Even if one day Singapore will be in
martial law or total news blockage .

 

[Watchman]

You will take the blue or the red pill ?

Singaporeans will be Neo in every aspect .

 

[BusNo64]

You will take the blue or the red pill ?

Singaporeans will be Neo in every aspect .

 

[drifter]

Singaporeans should know what to do by now .

They no longer need spoon feeding .

Even if one day Singapore will be in
martial law or total news blockage .

since when the goverment spoon feed singaporean ? they take away the spoon and give it to FT ...

 

[KNNBCCB]

since when the goverment spoon feed singaporean ? they take away the spoon and give it to FT ...

very very very big spoon..

 

[mei mei]

Can TOC not set up another site and let govt gazette whatever they want with TOC? Of course, TOC don't tell govt that the new site is previously the old TOC site

 

[kukubird58]

how cum they never mention about sammyboy ah?
see we all no up isit?

 

[longbow]

Is TOC domain in Singapore? If so maybe they are registering the Singapore domained site.

Then does it mean they will block those political sites hosted overseas.

 

[KNNBCCB]

how cum they never mention about sammyboy ah?
see we all no up isit?

shhh.. shut up kuku...
got papdog spy here...

 

[kukubird58]

shhh.. shut up kuku...
got papdog spy here...

who...doggy?.....uncle botak isit???

 

[ps07857]

sooner or later it will be this website..... I hope not...

 

[scroobal]

SBF, TR and the many other individual sites have small group of followers and tend to write articles or cover issues as personal point of view. They do not influence mainstream thinking but are popular because they release the occasional gossip or taboo information. Credibility is a serious issue. TR does have have the numbers similar to scandal rags in the US but credibility is practically non-existent. Temasek took legal against them not to shut them down but to change their name. That tells alot. Nobody wants to be associated with a scandal rag but it is popular reading.

The authorities can simply block the sites if they want but they haven't because they know the impact is limited.

Sites such as Yawning bread and Lucky are serious and much more incisive but again it is numbers game. TOC on the hand had taken on National significance. They report responsibly and have adopted journalistic standards that are way beyond what SPH will ever dream of.

TOC can influence the elections. Take the James Gomez saga during the last elections. The issue was contentious and people were looking for opinion pieces to help them make a decision. During that GE, only SPH was in the market. TOC would now be a factor. The fact that potential PAP candidates expressed concerned about TOC influence was enough to move quickly.

sooner or later it will be this website..... I hope not...

 

[kukubird58]

SBF, TR and the many other individual sites have small group of followers and tend to write articles or cover issues as personal point of view. They do not influence mainstream thinking but are popular because they release the occasional gossip or taboo information. Credibility is a serious issue.

hahaha...that's why this forum needs kukubird to TCSS so that it does not get too serious and becomes too influential on mainstream thinking for its own good.
i will play the clown while you guys get on with the serious business.

 

[myfoot123]

I spoke to a taxi uncle a while ago and he knew what was going on. He was joking about it with his colleagues and said LHL "Um Zai Si" (meaning he better watch out in the coming election). I believe such unethical episode created by PAP is going to swing further 10% votes into opposition camp. Looking at the rising concerned from supporters in TOC, such prediction cannot be too far fetched. Hooray!!! dare to call election now Papa's retarded son?

 

[Dreamer1]

Our honourable PM BG LHL is set to follow the foot steps of,alas,not MM LKY but notorious General Than Shwe=a condfimed mass murderer.How sad!

Than ShweFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
General Than Shwe



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 April 1992
Prime Minister Khin Nyunt
Soe Win
Thein Sein
Deputy Maung Aye
Preceded by Saw Maung

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prime Minister of Myanmar
In office
23 April 1992 – 25 August 2003
Preceded by Saw Maung
Succeeded by General Khin Nyunt

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Born 2 February 1933 (1933-02-02) (age 77)[1]
Kyaukse, British Burma (now Myanmar)
Spouse(s) Kyaing Kyaing
Senior General Than Shwe (Burmese: သန်းရွှေ; pronounced [θáɴ ʃwè]; born 2 February 1933) is a central figure in Myanmar's ruling military junta. He holds various positions of power that render him head of state; these include Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw, head of Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), and since 23 April 1992 chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). SPDC is the name of the former State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), established in 1988.

Contents [hide]
1 Early life and politics
2 Ascent to Power
3 Style of leadership
4 Health and family
5 International media
6 See also
7 References
8 Bibliography
9 External links

[edit] Early life and politicsThan Shwe was born in Minzu village, near Kyaukse, Mandalay Province, British Burma. After working as a postman he enlisted in the Burmese army, where he participated in the government's powerful counter-insurgency campaign against ethnic-Karen guerrillas in eastern Burma.[2]

After the military coup in 1962 by General Ne Win, Than Shwe continued to rise steadily through the ranks, working for the military's Psychological Warfare Department.[3] He reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1972, Colonel in 1978, Commander of the South West Regional Command in 1983, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Brigadier-General and Deputy Minister of Defence in 1985 and then Major-General in 1986.

He also obtained a seat on the ruling Burma Socialist Programme Party's Central Executive Committee.

[edit] Ascent to PowerThe State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) was created after the military organised another coup in response to the democracy uprising of 1988, and Than Shwe was appointed as one of 21 members of the cabinet headed by General Saw Maung.

On 23 April 1992, Saw Maung unexpectedly resigned, citing health reasons,[4] and Than Shwe replaced him as Chairman of the Council, head of state, Secretary of Defence and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

[edit] Style of leadershipThan Shwe has relaxed some state control over the economy,[5] and has been a vocal supporter of Burma's participation in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). He also oversaw a large crackdown on corruption, which saw the sackings of a number of cabinet ministers and regional commanders in 1997.

The convention for the "Discipline Democracy New Constitution" was convened from 9 January 1993 to 3 September 2007, a period of more than 14 years and 8 months. Although the main opposition party, National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, which won the multi-party democracy general election in 1990, did not participate, the chairman of National Convention Lieutenant General Thein Sein announced that the creation of the "Constitution" had been accomplished.

Than Shwe has continued the suppression of the free press in Burma, and has overseen the detention of journalists who oppose his regime. While he oversaw the release of Aung San Suu Kyi during the late 1990s, he also oversaw her return to detention in 2003. Despite his relaxation of some restrictions on Burma's economy, his economic policies have been often criticized as ill-planned.[6][7]

He maintains a low profile. He tends to be seen as being sullen, humourless and rather withdrawn, a hardliner, skilled manipulator and an opponent of the democratization of Burma.[8] He marks national holidays and ceremonies with messages in the state-run newspapers, but rarely talks to the press. The lavish wedding of his daughter, involving diamonds and champagne, was particularly controversial in a country whose people continue to suffer enormous poverty and enforced austerity.[9]

For many years, Than Shwe was seen as something of a figurehead as head of state, with the power over policy being held by his ministers. More recent reports suggest that, in recent years, he has been consolidating his power over the country. When he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, he simply extended it, which has led to suggestions that he may remain as head of state for the rest of his life.[citation needed]

Power struggles have plagued Burma's military leadership. Than Shwe has been linked to the toppling and arrest of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt in 2004, which has significantly increased his own power.[10] The former premier, who said he supported Aung San Suu Kyi's involvement in the National Convention, was seen as a moderate at odds with the junta's hardliners.

Than Shwe is said to rely heavily on advice from his soothsayers, a style of ruling dating back to Ne Win, a leader who once shot his mirror to avoid bad luck.[11]

In May and November 2006 he met with the United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari in the newly-built capital of Naypyidaw, which had replaced Yangon in the previous year, and permitted Gambari to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. However, Than Shwe refused to meet Gambari when he visited Burma in November 2007 and again on 10 March 2008.[12]

In early May 2008, Than Shwe refused many foreign aid workers from entering the country in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis (May 2, 2008).[13] This led to many criticisms from the UN as well as the international community.

In early July 2009, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon visited Myanmar and held talks with General Than Shwe. The military junta rejected UN Secretary General's request to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. Than Shwe also commented on the upcoming 2010 Burmese election, saying that by the time the UN chief next visits Burma, ""I will be an ordinary citizen, a lay person, and my colleagues will too because it will be a civilian government."[14]

On 27 August 2010, rumors surfaced that Than Shwe and his deputy, Gen. Maung Aye, along with six other top military officers, had resigned their military posts, and that he was expected to remain head of state until at least the end of the 2011 fiscal year, when he would transfer his position to the elected president.[15] The rumor was proven false as the Burmese state media referred to him as Senior General three days later.[16]