Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Government
Education
Search
Search:
Council recommends lifting ban on party political films in phases
Channel NewsAsia - 1 hour 18 minutes ago
SINGAPORE: A committee looking into new media has recommended that Section 33 of the Films Act that prohibits the making and distributing of party political films be repealed but in phases.
It’s one of the key recommendations made by the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS).
The council also suggests that the scope of law be narrowed to target only those films that "intentionally mislead viewers" and that an independent panel be appointed to decide on this.
However, questions remain.
Choo Zheng Xi, editor, The Online Citizen, said: "It’s very difficult to say if for example, I do cutaway shots of opposition party rallies, whether that is going to be slanted and misleading. Or if I take snapshots of unflattering comments that the PAP ministers make, whether that is going to be a slanted and misleading film."
Choo, one of the Bloggers13 group consulted by the council is in favour of an immediate repeal.
Cheong Yip Seng, chairman, Advisory Council, Impact of New Media on Society, said: "Deciding on whether films are acceptable or not, it’s not going to be easy. I think it’s possible many of the films submitted will likely fall into the grey area. That is why we emphasise that it is important for the panel to have public credibility."
Mr Cheong acknowledges films deemed unacceptable by the panel can still pop up on You Tube, a free video—sharing platform.
He added: "I think it is reasonable to expect that film to appear on You Tube and when that happens, the public will judge whether the panel had made the right or wrong decision."
But both parties agree that the ban needs to go.
Choo continued: "One word they used is decriminalising the making of political films which I think is very healthy because we need to move away from the mindset that making these films and talking about politics online through a video medium is criminal."
One of the issues when it comes to political discussions online is that there are a lot of grey areas. Thus, the report aims to strike a balance between a free—for—all and trying to give greater clarity on what the out—of—bounds or OB markers are.
AIMS also made three other major recommendations.
One was for the government to further actively engage citizens online and giving civil servants space to voice their personal opinions.
Secondly, protect minors by having a dedicated agency to implement cyber safety and an annual fund for such efforts.
And thirdly, have laws to protect websites hosting content that may turn out defamatory.
The government said it’ll study the recommendations carefully and announce its position in about one and a half months’ time. —CNA/vm
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Singapore
MM Lee meets China’s foreign minister in HKChannel NewsAsia - 48 minutes ago
Singapore's Koh Brothers wins $381 mln contractReuters - 1 hour 1 minute ago
All local hotels issued alert after Mumbai attacksChannel NewsAsia - 1 hour 6 minutes ago
Council recommends lifting ban on party political films in phasesChannel NewsAsia - 1 hour 18 minutes ago
Lee Tat wins legal battle against Grange Heights residentsChannel NewsAsia - 1 hour 32 minutes ago
Enlarge Photo
Council recommends lifting ban on party political films in phases
Most Popular – Singapore
Viewed
Wall Street plunges as recession becomes reality
World AIDS Day highlights big challenges 20 years on
Love handles increase death risk: study
Saudi king says 75 dollar oil price 'fair'
World's oldest person dies at 115 years
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular