POLITICAL VIEWS ON THE INTERNET

Column: 2905

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POLITICAL VIEWS ON THE INTERNET

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(Regulation): **

39.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts what measures will be taken to update laws restricting the airing of political views on the Internet in view of the recent statements by the Ministry that a lighter-touch approach to Internet regulation is being considered.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: MICA recognises that technology has evolved rapidly since the light-touch approach was introduced in 1996 to regulate the Internet. This light-touch approach has served us well. It has helped to foster the growth of the Internet and allowed us to tap its vast potential while enabling us to protect our society from its undesirable impact.

Under this light-touch approach, anyone can set up a website, including political websites where views, including political ones, are articulated freely. Many young Singaporeans, in particular, own blogs or participate in some form of activities on various new media platforms, be it Facebook, YouTube or Wikipedia. There is much public discourse and buzz in cyberspace.

We are currently reviewing our Internet regulation. As the review is not concluded, I am unable at this point to say what the measures that will be adopted for a lighter-touch regulation are. We are also seeking the views of the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS) that was set up last year to study the new media and its impact on society.