Beginnings of stricter online censorship

[PNGMK]

We were offered a relo to Burma.

It is a place I have long wanted to visit as it is meant to be fascinating, and beautiful. Sadly ever since I have had the time and means to do so, visiting the country has been considered unethical, and so I have yet to go.

So declining the 'all in' relo was not the easiest decision to make. But one of the clinchers that made it easier for me was that the internet is hugely controlled. In fact as I recall we would have had no access from home at all. To access e-mail, do my business a/c's etc I would have had to have flown to BKK (or similar) on a bi-weekly (or so) basis.

In my opinion SG might want to tread carefully re: censoring the internet. There is a risk is comes over as insecure, paranoid, tyrannical, as in Burma. Very contrary to the modern open global IT-hub image it seems to be nurturing...

Agreed - internet in Burma is a PITA

[Brah]

More on this, an uprising of some sort:
http://www.petitions24.com/petition_for ... ing_regime

[JR8]

Uprising in Sg ah?

What they do, McDonals not giving out free kitty toy or summink issit?

Yah, I furioused too hor. Bu hey, I oright, got HDB. Don rock boat ah.


- Be grateful for wat dey gib us ah....

[zzm9980]

More on this, an uprising of some sort:
http://www.petitions24.com/petition_for ... ing_regime

Wow. Only in Singapore would this have to be a question in an FAQ...

Why is free speech so important? Isn’t it an abstract concept only theorists and liberals think about?

[JR8]

I have some experience of how media/comms are controlled in this country, but I have to say I was surprised to see there is less press freedom here than in both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan* - and that's before these new laws.

Singapore is an interesting dichotomy. To visitors it's the convenient long-haul stop-off, nice airline, pretty hostesses, efficient airport, working infrastructure, and so on.

But if you scratch beneath the surface, it really is an idiosyncratic place. Don't know... I'm just left wondering what it is the government are (apparently) so afraid of...



*According to ISSUU 2013 Press Freedom Index.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The highest political appointee salaries in the world, perhaps?

[JR8]

It's striking, moving to a country and then realizing that I have to 'consider the wisdom (risk)' of discussing a topic, that would be completely adult and everyday back home.

I don't know if this fear is irrational. And if it's not, why I have to be subject to it; as it's not very pleasant.

[Sergei82]

SGreans themselve are suspicious about it - they're discussing it now on ChannelNewsAsia (or it is just a setup by governemnt to "assure" people it is for their own "good").

[nakatago]

less press freedom here than in both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan

Wow, that IS bad. As in Taliban bad.

BA-DUMP-BUMP.

I read through the petition and someone pointed out beauty products and ponies. So Singapore will squeeze 50k out of popular bloggers.

I wonder how much Mr. Brown makes from his online activities.

Or how about that doesn't-help-the-stereotype-of-Asians-taking-pictures-of-food "I eat, I shoot, I post."

Way to go, MDA, of throwing the baby with the bathwater.

[Sergei82]

less press freedom here than in both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan

Wow, that IS bad. As in Taliban bad.

BA-DUMP-BUMP.

I read through the petition and someone pointed out beauty products and ponies. So Singapore will squeeze 50k out of popular bloggers.

I wonder how much Mr. Brown makes from his online activities.

Or how about that doesn't-help-the-stereotype-of-Asians-taking-pictures-of-food "I eat, I shoot, I post."

Way to go, MDA, of throwing the baby with the bathwater.

I think, comparison was with Afghanistan nowadays, not the one existed under Taliban rule.

[zzm9980]

less press freedom here than in both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan

Wow, that IS bad. As in Taliban bad.

BA-DUMP-BUMP.

I read through the petition and someone pointed out beauty products and ponies. So Singapore will squeeze 50k out of popular bloggers.

I wonder how much Mr. Brown makes from his online activities.

Or how about that doesn't-help-the-stereotype-of-Asians-taking-pictures-of-food "I eat, I shoot, I post."

Way to go, MDA, of throwing the baby with the bathwater.

We'll all miss Xiaxue.

[AngMoG]

HR Watch decided to pile it on a bit: link

Singapore is placing its status as a world-class financial center at clear risk by extending its record of draconian media censorship to the digital world

Interesting point raised, but I also think the finance industry is not exactly their area of expertise.

[JR8]

Interesting point raised, but I also think the finance industry is not exactly their area of expertise.

Used to have 1am Eskie-parties on the trading floor (which had Sat-TV).

Porn, beer, sports....

[movingtospore]

The highest political appointee salaries in the world, perhaps?

Come one. Being the equivalent of a mayor's aide is tough work.

[nakatago]

The highest political appointee salaries in the world, perhaps?

Come one. Being the equivalent of an aide of the highest paid mayor in the world is tough work.

FTFY