Singapore

Abstract

Singapore's government limits political and civil rights—especially freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association—using overly broad legal provisions on security, public order, morality, and racial and religious harmony. Since the 2011 parliamentary election, however, in which the opposition made gains, Singaporean citizens have been increasingly asserting their rights through social media and rallies in designated areas.On September 10, Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) banned the film “To Singapore, With Love “ on grounds that it undermined national security. The film features interviews with activists who fled Singapore rather than face political persecution and possible detention under the country's abusive Internal Security Act (ISA). Film director Tan Pin Pin filed an appeal, stating that people should be able to air “differing views about our past, even views that the government disapproves.” On November 12, the Film Appeals Committee rejected her appeal by a 9-3 vote.The MDA also continues to compel online news websites discussing domestic political issues to register under the Broadcasting Act. Registration requires posting a monetary bond, paying fees, undergoing annual registration, and, on notification, immediately removing anything the MDA deems to be against “public interest, public order or national harmony” or to offend “good taste or decency.” Registered websites are also prohibited from receiving any foreign funding. In late March, the MDA ordered the news website Mothership.sg to register and, in late September, made the same demand of The Online Citizen (TOC).The Newspaper and Printing Presses Act requires local newspapers to renew their registration every year and empowers the government to limit circulation of foreign newspapers.