Govt Announces Relaxation to Internet Election Advertising Rules

Channel NewsAsia ran this story on 23 March 2009:

Govt announces relaxation to Internet election advertising rules

Singapore's taking a significant step to further liberalise and expand the Internet space for political debate. Parliament has approved changes to the Films Act, allowing for certain types of films which would otherwise be termed party political films.

Regulations on internet election advertising have also been relaxed.

Singapore's society is changing and the younger generation want more space for political discourse and greater engagement with the government.

Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, said: "It is therefore important that the government learns to make better use of the medium of film and new media tools to reach out and engage, inform, educate and obtain the views of media-savvy Singaporeans.

"While videos, films and new media can be widely used and can improve communications, we must be mindful that they can be easily abused. This is the reason why, even as we liberalise, there needs to be some safeguards to minimise the risk that they will be exploited and to reduce the undesirable effects."

So amendments to the Films Act will allow films that are factual and objective. They must not dramatise or present a distorted picture.

With the change, LIVE recordings of events held in accordance with the law, anniversary and commemorative videos of political parties, and factual documentaries or biographies will be permitted.

The space for political expression is also liberalised. Political parties and their candidates will now be able to use films allowed under the Act during an election period.

MPs shared some views expressed by netizens and in other forums.

MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Penny Low, who also chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for the Information, Communications and the Arts, said: "The Internet is rife with different opinions questioning the intent of the amendment.

"Is this really a step forward towards liberalisation or is this a step backwards to contain certain political parties? Even worse - is this to introduce a catch-all clause to contain even the film producer, the videographer and free speech."

Zaqy Mohamed, MP for Hong Kah GRC, said: "The proliferation of the new media and the ease of means to get films to be produced and distributed outside of Singapore signals that local regulations are becoming less and less effective."

Mr Lui noted that while films have their impact when reaching the population, they also have their downside.

He said: "If our democracy is reduced to slick commercials, clever editing, sharp sound bites and political spin, then I think our democracy is being debased. So I would say that when we craft this, we are very much aware that even as we liberalise, that we continue to make sure that the debate is serious, robust and rational."

And with an environment that continues to evolve, the government said it is prepared to make further changes, when appropriate.