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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 8 2009, 4:00 AM EDT (current) | brendalogy | 48 words added |
| Apr 8 2009, 3:54 AM EDT | brendalogy | 7 words added |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
1. Government's Perception of Social Media
Social Media a Potential Threat to Government
As Singapore's mainstream media is highly regulated and censored by the Government, citizens are losing trust in traditional media reports. Instead, they have turned to the Blogosphere as an outlet for them to voice their disapproval, often with regards to Government policies and politics. In fact, a higher (18%) than average (13%) proportion of Singaporeans are interested in politician blogs. As this active internet community made up of a large proportion of young minds grows bigger, the Government can only choose to engage them or lose them.
2. Government Regulation
Light-touch Regulatory Approach
The government has imposed certain restrictions on creating internet content - including but not limited to blogs, videos and content on new media such as social networking websites. These restrictions which are governed by the Media Development Authority(MDA) include the Internet Code of Practice and Broadcasting (Class License) Act, in which users are prohibited from offensively provoking people or entities. However, these rules guide users to create responsible, politically-sensitive content rather than stifle their freedom of speech. There have been many calls for complete deregulation by vocal netizens, however the government has asserted that this light-touch approach will continue. [Source - The Straits Times]
Singaporean Netizens lament too much control by the Government on the Blogosphere.
The Singapore government is known for its tight controls on the local media. However, netizens are increasingly fearing that the same control is being applied in the blogosphere, or just cyberspace in general, in light of legal action taken against a foreign blogger on the 2nd June 2008 for his public critique on Singapore's justice system in his blog post.
On a seperate occasion, government authorities raided a private screening of a documentary created by political activists against the Singapore government. [Source - Asia Times Online]
3. Social Media Initiatives by the Government
Singapore's Government moving into Social Media to reach out to Singaporeans
In June 2008, the Singapore Government launched a Facebook group for REACH (Reaching Everyone for Active Citizenry @ Home), it's official feedback unit, to garner greater citizen participation and particularly to reach out to today's internet-savvy youth, who are perceived to be active in this social media platform.
Prior to the establishment of the group, REACH had drawn flak from netizens for previously establishing a Facebook profile, which was in violation of Facebook's terms and conditions specifiying that profiles are meant for individuals only. The profile was hence suspended by Facebook's staff and has now been taken over by a REACH administrator, Ho Chee Har - an action that has drawn further criticism as the previous 'friends' of REACH claim their personal information are accessible by the latter. [Source - FutureGov] [Source - The Asia Media Forum]
As of February 2009, REACH has 1853 members in its Facebook group, with roughly 230 discussion topics and 160 wall posts since its initiation. [Source - REACH Facebook Group]
Singapore ranks first in e-government.
In a study that compared the strength of the e-government initiatives made by more than 30 countries, Singapore has been ranked first, ahead of other countries such as the United States (second), Sweden (third), United Kingdom (fourth) and Japan (fifth).
Breaking down into the nitty-gritty details of this ranking, Singapore fared the best in aspects such as productivity optimization through the use of technology for its various ministries, as well as the progress it has made in the online portals initiated by the government. On the other hand, Singapore did not fare as well in terms of self-promotion through the use of the internet, being ranked seventh in this area. [Source - The Straits Times]
Formation of advisory council for new media.
In 2007, the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS) was established to look into new media, mainly how it can implicate society and to offer suggestions to the government on how these issues can be managed.
4. Social Media Initiatives by Netizens
Initiation and development of the Association of Bloggers (Singapore)
The Association of Bloggers (Singapore) was inaugurated in December 2008 by a group of dedicated Singaporean bloggers as a means to unite local bloggers and strengthen the local blogging scene. [Source - Association of Bloggers: About us]
It has attracted skepticism and flak from the very people the association was trying to attract as potential members. Some criticism relates to how blogging is an expression of individuality and as such, bloggers would not want to be known collectively under the association. Others express disapproval at the entrance and membership fees being charged, arguing that blogging is meant to be a 'free' activity. Additionally, many have pinpointed the lack of credibility of the association and their disbelief that the association can successfully transform what they feel, is a chaotic local blogsphere. [Source - AsiaOne, Digital]
The survival of this association remains to be seen. In early February, the Association of Bloggers has lost at least 7 out of 10 committee members over the short span of a weekend, with several more members expressing their intentions to step down. [Source - AsiaMedia]
Social Media a Potential Threat to Government
As Singapore's mainstream media is highly regulated and censored by the Government, citizens are losing trust in traditional media reports. Instead, they have turned to the Blogosphere as an outlet for them to voice their disapproval, often with regards to Government policies and politics. In fact, a higher (18%) than average (13%) proportion of Singaporeans are interested in politician blogs. As this active internet community made up of a large proportion of young minds grows bigger, the Government can only choose to engage them or lose them.
2. Government Regulation
Light-touch Regulatory Approach
The government has imposed certain restrictions on creating internet content - including but not limited to blogs, videos and content on new media such as social networking websites. These restrictions which are governed by the Media Development Authority(MDA) include the Internet Code of Practice and Broadcasting (Class License) Act, in which users are prohibited from offensively provoking people or entities. However, these rules guide users to create responsible, politically-sensitive content rather than stifle their freedom of speech. There have been many calls for complete deregulation by vocal netizens, however the government has asserted that this light-touch approach will continue. [Source - The Straits Times]
Singaporean Netizens lament too much control by the Government on the Blogosphere.
The Singapore government is known for its tight controls on the local media. However, netizens are increasingly fearing that the same control is being applied in the blogosphere, or just cyberspace in general, in light of legal action taken against a foreign blogger on the 2nd June 2008 for his public critique on Singapore's justice system in his blog post.
On a seperate occasion, government authorities raided a private screening of a documentary created by political activists against the Singapore government. [Source - Asia Times Online]
3. Social Media Initiatives by the Government
Singapore's Government moving into Social Media to reach out to Singaporeans
In June 2008, the Singapore Government launched a Facebook group for REACH (Reaching Everyone for Active Citizenry @ Home), it's official feedback unit, to garner greater citizen participation and particularly to reach out to today's internet-savvy youth, who are perceived to be active in this social media platform.
Prior to the establishment of the group, REACH had drawn flak from netizens for previously establishing a Facebook profile, which was in violation of Facebook's terms and conditions specifiying that profiles are meant for individuals only. The profile was hence suspended by Facebook's staff and has now been taken over by a REACH administrator, Ho Chee Har - an action that has drawn further criticism as the previous 'friends' of REACH claim their personal information are accessible by the latter. [Source - FutureGov] [Source - The Asia Media Forum]
As of February 2009, REACH has 1853 members in its Facebook group, with roughly 230 discussion topics and 160 wall posts since its initiation. [Source - REACH Facebook Group]
Singapore ranks first in e-government.
In a study that compared the strength of the e-government initiatives made by more than 30 countries, Singapore has been ranked first, ahead of other countries such as the United States (second), Sweden (third), United Kingdom (fourth) and Japan (fifth).
Breaking down into the nitty-gritty details of this ranking, Singapore fared the best in aspects such as productivity optimization through the use of technology for its various ministries, as well as the progress it has made in the online portals initiated by the government. On the other hand, Singapore did not fare as well in terms of self-promotion through the use of the internet, being ranked seventh in this area. [Source - The Straits Times]
Formation of advisory council for new media.
In 2007, the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS) was established to look into new media, mainly how it can implicate society and to offer suggestions to the government on how these issues can be managed.
4. Social Media Initiatives by Netizens
Initiation and development of the Association of Bloggers (Singapore)
The Association of Bloggers (Singapore) was inaugurated in December 2008 by a group of dedicated Singaporean bloggers as a means to unite local bloggers and strengthen the local blogging scene. [Source - Association of Bloggers: About us]
It has attracted skepticism and flak from the very people the association was trying to attract as potential members. Some criticism relates to how blogging is an expression of individuality and as such, bloggers would not want to be known collectively under the association. Others express disapproval at the entrance and membership fees being charged, arguing that blogging is meant to be a 'free' activity. Additionally, many have pinpointed the lack of credibility of the association and their disbelief that the association can successfully transform what they feel, is a chaotic local blogsphere. [Source - AsiaOne, Digital]
The survival of this association remains to be seen. In early February, the Association of Bloggers has lost at least 7 out of 10 committee members over the short span of a weekend, with several more members expressing their intentions to step down. [Source - AsiaMedia]
