Licensing registration forms revised for greater clarity: MDA

SINGAPORE — The Media Development Authority (MDA) has revealed why the forms for two websites it had asked to register under the class licensing rules were different from those posted on its site, after socio-political commentary website Breakfast Network (BN) cited the onerous registration process as one of the reasons it decided to shut down on Monday.

In response to TODAY’s queries, the MDA said: “The registration form for The Independent and Breakfast Network was revised for greater clarity, including MDA’s expectations regarding receipt of foreign funding.

“The changes will allow registered sites to receive bona fide commercial revenue, foreign advertisers included. This is why more disclosures are necessary,” a spokesperson added.

Current affairs and news website The Independent, which had submitted its registration forms last week, also highlighted previously that it received a second set of forms from the regulators, which “are different in scope from the earlier ones”.

And yesterday, BN Editor Bertha Henson elaborated on its reasons for closing down her website instead of registering. In a Facebook post, she attached 17 photos of the registration forms it was required to submit to show the difference from the ones on MDA’s website.

Apart from the names of all the parties involved with the website — including volunteer contributors — the forms stated two new requirements: An official receipt of acknowledgement for all notices and communication with the MDA; and the keeping of records of how the website is managed.

Earlier in the day, the MDA had released a statement saying BN was required to cease its online service as it had not complied with the registration notification. The regulator also reiterated its stand that news websites had to be registered to prevent the manipulation of local media platforms by foreign entities through funding.

In response to this, Ms Henson said the MDA’s statement makes clear that the driving force behind wanting BN to register was to uphold the “firmly-established principle that foreign entities may not engage in Singapore politics ... which are prime vehicles for political influence”.

She retorted that BN was “not so hard up” for foreign funding.

The website has been closed down, but it continues to be active on Facebook and Ms Henson has returned to blogging on her personal page.

Prominent blogger Lee Kin Mun, also known as Mr Brown, took to his blog in defence of BN.

“You can see for yourself the number of forms and the kind of info the MDA wanted from the Breakfast Network at this link. Ask yourself, would YOU register under these circumstances?,” he wrote.

Political commentator Cherian George also questioned on his blog what the regulator’s move meant for Internet freedom and bemoaned the loss of the “light touch” the authorities once took. Sumita Sreedharan