The big four rise up against new mda scheme

[YanDao]

by Yen Feng

Looks like it’s not just the small-time bloggers who are pissed about the new MDA licence scheme. Now, four others have spoken up – and they are anything but small.

Today, Zaobao reported that Facebook, Google, Yahoo! and eBay – have also written to the Minister for Communications and Information to express their reservations over the scheme that says news sites that report on local news and have a reach of 50,000 may be licensed by the Government.

Representing the four Internet giants is the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), a industry association based in Hong Kong that looks at Internet policy issues in the Asia Pacific region. In a letter sent to Dr Yaacob Ibrahim two weeks ago, the group’s acting director John Ure said that the new regulations would “inadvertently suppress Singapore’s ability to innovate and impede technological advancement”, leading ultimately to a drop in foreign investment.

He added: “We also believe that the scheme’s criteria, and the way it was introduced, will have a negative impact on Singapore’s image as an open, business-friendly nation.”

Mr Ure told the Chinese-language paper that the AIC had been in talks with MDA since early last month. Right after MDA announced the scheme, Mr Ure said: “We were shocked… it made us very worried… Our position has always been, that this type of policy change should first undergo an industry consultation.

“Otherwise, problems will come up very easily.”

And boy, have they.

Ever since the new regulations were announced on May 28, several groups have publicly protested against it for its lack of transparency and clarity.

A group of prominent bloggers have also organised a collective, known as Free My Internet, in hopes that the Government will withdraw or suspend the scheme. A policy brief by the group was made public online yesterday.

Responding to the AIC’s letter, a government spokesman yesterday reiterated the MDA’s position – that the scheme did not represent a fundamental change in its policy approach, and that it welcomed the AIC’s feedback for its upcoming proposal to amend the Broadcasting Act, reported ZB.

MP Baey Yam Keng, a public relations expert, also weighed in. He told ZB that the true impact of the new regulations can only be evaluated after some time.

But the concerns of Facebook, Google, Yahoo! and eBay should also not be treated lightly, he said. “These are all mainstream Internet companies; if we don’t address their worries and questions, it will surely affect our country’s image.”



A previous version of this post said that the AIC had been in talks with MDA as early as six months ago. This is incorrect. ZB reported that the talks started in early June.

*Article first appeared on The Big Four rise up against new MDA scheme | Breakfast Network | An Eye on the News Singapore

 

[laksaboy]

He added: “We also believe that the scheme’s criteria, and the way it was introduced, will have a negative impact on Singapore’s image as an open, business-friendly nation.”

As usual, the devils in white only get flustered when their pockets and/or reputation ('face') gets attacked.

 

[Annihilation]

Luckily it's not a no close up pic.

 

[soIsee]

As usual, the devils in white only get flustered when their pockets and/or reputation ('face') gets attacked.

It is always the first one ( the pockets ) that hits them that is the MOST effective as for the second one of reputation, even they themselves know they are putting up a FALSE FACADE!! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

 

[DuYunQi]

And so.. it begins....

It doesn't take a primary school student to realize that the "all encompassing" scheme puts the "lid" on alot of things.. it also shows that when it comes to MONEY.. those who want to make money.. will be "spurred into action" by this move.

I would like to see how long this scheme can take the pressure from, not only local.. but international media and onlookers from the rest of the world.

I take no pride in SG journalism being put a little bit ahead of North Korea.. amongst other"eye-opening" countries.. but it saddens me that there is no variety of news on the local scene.. everything is just.. seems to be pro-government.. and since the present government is run by ONE political party.. pappies.. it just seems that no journalist would want to come into direct conflict.. be it good or bad for the readers.. or the citizens of SG.

That is very sad indeed.. no "brain food".. no nothing to think beyond..