The Online Citizen (TOC) has been embroiled in controversies for quite some time now.
First, there was the lawsuit against editor Terry Xu and one of its writer by PM Lee, which he handily won.
Then, the website was threatened with the removal of its class license by 28 Sep 2021 for not complying with IMDA.
And now, the website has gone dark. Literally.
TOC’s Website Went Offline With All Social Media Profiles Taken Down
On 14 Sep, it was announced that the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has suspended TOC’s class license after it failed to declare all sources of funding.
It also required the website to stop posting content immediately and disable its website and social media channels by 3pm on 16 Sep 2021.
On 16 Sep 2021, it was reported that the TOC website is no longer accessible, both within and without Singapore.
An attempt to access the website resulted in an error message.
Social Media Channels Taken Down Too
A quick check on their social media channels showed similar outcomes.
Its Facebook and Twitter accounts were deactivated
Its Instagram account made private
While all video content on their YouTube channel has been delisted
When IMDA previously imposed the deadline, it said that if TOC does not comply with their demands, it would “take steps” to block access to TOC in Singapore.
According to Straits Times, IMDA had not taken steps to block access to TOC when it went offline.
So, What’s Next?
Well, the next deadline to meet would be 28 Sep 2021, where the authorities would cancel TOC’s class licence if it fails to comply with the requirement to declare all sources of funding.
For context, TOC is considered a registered Internet content provider (ICP).
Such websites, which focus on party political issues in Singapore, are required to declare their sources of funding.
This is to ensure that there’s no foreign influence in domestic politics.
TOC first registered as an Internet Content Provider (ICP) in 2018 and had complied with the necessary rules.
In 2019, however, things took a darker tone when TOC reportedly failed to verify a donor.
It also failed to clarify discrepancies in its foreign advertising revenue.
In 2020, it failed to declare “all its funding sources”. This continued despite multiple reminders and extensions.
Lim Tean representing TOC had called it “simple accounting mistakes” and express TOC’s intention to challenge the suspension through a judicial review.
Read Also:
- IMDA Suspends TOC Website & Social Media Channels Class License
- PM Lee Awarded $370K in Damages from Defamation Suits Against TOC
Feature Image: Screengrab from TOC website & Instagram / Facebook (The Online Citizen Asia)
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