Government to review media policies for next General Election

31 May 2006 2012 hrs (SST)

SINGAPORE: The Government will review the way it manages new media such as the Internet and podcasts and work towards a 'lighter touch' in the next general election, said Information, Communications and the Arts Minister Lee Boon Yang.

But it will not take a completely hands-off approach either.

Dr Lee also called on users to be responsible.

Speaking at the annual PR Academy Conference, Dr Lee said the Government recognises that Singaporeans will be even more net-savvy in 5 years, and changes can be expected in time for the next General Election.

"We will review our policies on the Internet and new media during the election period bearing in mind the changes that are taking place. Moving forward, we will consider how to better embrace these changes so that by the next GE, we may be able to adopt a lighter touch approach during the election period," said Mr Lee.

Later Dr Lee elaborated that the largely "free-for-all new media" environment is here to stay.

He added, "We accept the new media; that it's going to be a free-for-all. You can expect a more lively vibrant new media environment particularly during election period. Going forward, we will have to make efforts to engage these people, efforts to accomodate alternative platforms to air their views and we will look at how this can be catered to from now till next GE. It's too early now to say specifically what we will do. We need to study the plans, what's do-able in light of technological changes."

This move was welcomed by bloggers and media watchers.

"There's no choice, you have to have a light touch. It's like frying 'ikan bilis', if not, you break the whole thing itself, so need for a light touch. New media is like that as well, because it's people, people sentiments, communities are created through SMS and other telephonies, so these groups will always come, start, disband with ease," said Basskaran Nair, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

"When you show you have a light touch, people are less likely to be fearful, less likely to do extreme stuff. If you clamp down, only 2 things will happen - people shut up or they go the other extreme and fight back and you don't want that kind of reaction. If you go for people with a sledgehammer, they will carry a sledgehammer back at you, that's unnecessary. A light touch is a healthy level of tolerance and give and take will strengthen," said blogger Lee Kin Mun, also known as "Mr Brown".

Blogger Benjamin Lee, known as "Mr Miyagi", said, "I would like to see government agencies start some blogs and for civil servants to actually start their own blogs, comment actively on public forums that are so active on the Internet. If you're talking about how people say it's not a balanced Internet, why so pro-opposition or anti-government - that can be addressed if people in the government engage."

During the conference, Dr Lee also defended the Government's 'cautious' approach during the recent GE, adding that no action will be taken against anyone over contents put up online.

He also reminded users that responsible blogging will lead to more informed debate in cyberspace.

Dr Lee said: "My advice is by all means take advantage of technology, by all means participate in new media activities, but bear in mind that whatever you say in cyberspace does have an impact in real life. And therefore some personal responsibility, some self-discipline is helpful. Not just for yourself, for society at large, your audience, people who come to your blog, to your website to engage you.

"Some level of responsibility will enhance the quality of debate. At the end of the day, what do we want? We want informed debate, we want people to be more aware. This is very much part of a participatory democracy. If you're not informed, then you really can't take part; if you are ill-informed or worse misinformed, you are not making a valid contribution so in the context of cyberspace, in the context of development of new media, having this sense of responsibility, this interest to participate from a well informed, objective perspective is a good development."

While the new media has the potential to enlighten and educate, rumours and distortions can also be easily posted online to cause confusion and misunderstanding.

So Dr Lee said the challenge is to derive the most benefit from the new media without its pitfalls. - CNA /dt