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MDA bans news website Breakfast Network from posting content in social media

The Breakfast NetworkSingapore’s media regulator has banned independent news website the Breakfast Network, which announced it was closing earlier this week because it opted not to get a media licence, from posting any of its content in social media.

The Breakfast Network’s founder Bertha Henson announced on Tuesday she would be putting the site on hold after failing to meet a deadline from the government to get a media licence, but would continue to post stories through BN’s social media channels.

The government brought in tough new rules for online news reporting earlier this year, and requested that Breakfast Network apply for a licence.

A Media Development Authority spokeswoman told the government-friendly newspaper the Straits Times today: “Should Breakfast Network Pte Ltd remain active as a company, it must not operate any iteration of www.breakfastnetwork.sg on other Internet platforms as doing so would contravene MDA’s registration requirements.”

“These other Internet platforms include Breakfast Network’s Facebook page and Twitter Feed,” she said.

The MDA has also said that claims made by Henson that she was instructed to name contributing writers as part of the regulator’s registration requirements were “false”.

The MDA also leant on The Independent, a news site that launched in August, to get a licence in July. The Independent complied and continues to operate.

The MDA’s statement concerning Breakfast Network reads as follows:

MDA had required www.breakfastnetwork.sg, operated by Breakfast Network Pte Ltd, to register under the Broadcasting (Class Licence) Notification, as we had assessed that as a corporate entity providing political commentary and news, they could be susceptible to foreign funding.

MDA met Ms Bertha Henson on 26 November, where we informed her that MDA required Breakfast Network to register. On 29 November, Ms Henson asked MDA about the possibility of making changes to the form, to which MDA replied that the forms were final.

On 3 December 2013, Ms Henson sent MDA a list of 9 questions concerning the registration forms. Ms Henson also requested for an extension of 10 December deadline by a month.

On 6 December, MDA replied to her 9 questions and also extended the deadline to 17 December. To address her concern about the effort required to fill up the registration forms, MDA also indicated that she could suggest alternative ways in which she could provide the required information. However, on 7 December, Ms Henson informed MDA that the Breakfast Network will not register and that it will shut down its website.

Bertha Henson’s 10 December Facebook post indicated that MDA required the site’s volunteer contributors to be named. This was picked up in various news reports. This is false. MDA had replied to Ms Henson on 6 December that pro-bono editorial team members should be listed in the form if they are responsible for and/or involved in the provision, management and/or operation of the website. At no point did MDA state that volunteer contributors need to be listed.

As the company has decided not to proceed with the registration, which means that it will not be making the necessary declarations that it will not receive foreign funding, MDA has informed Breakfast Network Pte Ltd that the company should cease to operate its online services.

MDA would like to reiterate that the content is not the issue. Rather, it is the mode of operation, i.e. via a corporate entity which means there is greater possibility for foreign influence. Should Breakfast Network Pte Ltd remain active as a company, it must not operate any iteration of www.breakfastnetwork.sg on other Internet platforms as doing so would contravene MDA’s registration requirements. These other Internet platforms include Breakfast Network’s Facebook page and Twitter Feed.

MDA’s registration requirement seeks to uphold the principle that politics must remain a matter for Singapore and Singaporeans alone. This principle is not new and it has been a long standing one. There is no departure from our Internet regulatory framework.

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