In recent years, independent news outlet The Online Citizen (TOC) has grabbed the headlines for numerous legal and online disputes.
In 2019, TOC‘s chief editor Terry Xu was sued by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for an article over the Oxley Road dispute. PM Lee was later awarded $210,000 in damages, which Mr Xu managed to obtain through crowdfunding.
Earlier this year, TOC got POFMA-ed after it published an article about a police officer allegedly bullying an elderly woman in Yishun.
Advertisements
Though it managed to survive those ordeals, it seems that TOC may now be gone for good.
In fact, if you try searching for their site, it won’t turn up on the web.
Sites & Social Media Channels Taken Down in September
It all started in September. Well, actually, it began in 2019.
See, since 2019, the Infocomm and Media Development Authority (IMDA) has reportedly tried to get TOC to provide information on all its sources of funding.
Things came to a head on 14 Sep this year when IMDA suspended TOC’s class licence and set a deadline for the 16th of Sep at 3pm for the socio-political site to declare all sources of funding.
On deadline day, however, before 3pm, TOC’s site and all its social media channels were taken offline.
Some expected the site and social media channels to come back online, but it doesn’t seem like this will happen.
IMDA Cancelled TOC’s Class Licence After It Refused to Provide Info About Sources of Funding
Today (15 Oct), IMDA cancelled TOC‘s class licence due to its refusal to provide information about its sources of funding.
Advertisements
IMDA explained that Internet content providers (ICPs) which promote or discuss political issues relating to Singapore online – such as TOC – are required to be transparent about their sources of funding.
This is to prevent foreign influence or foreign funding of such sites, and more importantly, to ensure there is no foreign influence in domestic politics, it said.
Now, if TOC operates any licensable broadcasting services, it will be an offence.
Chief Editor Plans to File Judicial Review For Social Media Channels
Interestingly, Mr Xu previously said that in 2014, the then Media Development Authority had “clearly stated that the licensing is for the purpose of the website and there had been no mention of the social media platforms”.
This is why he’s planning to file a judicial review against IMDA’s order for TOC to suspend its social media platforms.
Advertisements
He added that IMDA “cannot reasonably expect TOC to cease all its operations outside of Singapore just because it has suspended the class license that it granted for the purpose of operation in Singapore.”
Read Also:
- 10 Facts About the NOC Saga Whereby Sylvia Has Apologised After Some Lawyers’ Letters
- 10 Facts About the Jurong Dorm Alleged Neglect Whereby Residents Confronted the Management
- BMTC Just Provided an IG-Worthy Meal to Recruits: Charcoal Bun Burger
Featured Image: Facebook (The Online Citizen Asia)
These GRCs & SMCs will have the toughest fights in GE2025; here’s why:
Read Also:
- Former Radio DJ Billy Wang Loses 21kg in Three Months, Returns to Singapore for Election
- PM Wong Warns Against Foreign Political Interference and Identity Politics During Election
- SDP Candidate Dr Gigene Wong Issues Two Apologies after Using Racial Slur to Describe Teammate during Election Rally
- Man Plans to Sell Flat After Neighbour Washes Floor 10 Times Daily with Chemical Mixture and Makes Noises at Night
- China Cancels 12,030 Tons of US Pork Orders amid 172% Tariff Standoff with Trump Administration
- These Are the 5 GRCs / SMCs That Will Have a Tight Contest in GE2025
