[singaporean1964]

Official statement from The Online Citizen
  September 16th, 2021 |  Author: Online Press
The Online Citizen (TOC) has taken down its website at exactly 9.08am. If you are wondering, yes the timing is deliberate.
We have also deactivated our social media platforms, not because we agree that Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)’s demand is justified but we do not wish to complicate matters at this point in time.
We will be filing a judicial review against IMDA’s order for TOC to suspend its operation of the social media platforms as they are not part of the declaration that it signed with IMDA in 2018, neither has IMDA mentioned anything in regards to this at any point.
Then-MDA publicly stated, “The registration of TOC Ltd is intended to ensure that the company does not receive foreign funding for the provision, management and/or operation of the TOC website, which is engaged in the propagation, promotion or discussion of political issues related to Singapore.”
Nothing of its press release speaks about operation of social media platforms.
Furthermore, there also does not seem to be any justification for IMDA’s order to have TOC cease its operation outside of Singapore as the issued class license is solely for the purpose of broadcasting in Singapore.
As past instances have shown, IMDA can easily have the local internet service providers block websites from being accessed in Singapore so there is no need to compel TOC to shut down its website in the first place.
TOC would like to reiterate that the sole reason why it is not complying with IMDA’s demand for declaration is the insistence to have the existing subscribers be converted to donors even when evidence have been provided of how subscribers are being compensated for their fees.
TOC had offered to prove the full declaration for FY2020 if IMDA does not quibble over the issue of subscription fees anymore. It has rejected the offer.
IMDA is saying that the subscription that allows “subscribers” to get specific articles written, in return for “subscription funding” received, is a cause for concern as it could be an avenue for foreign influence.
It, however, fails to highlight to the general public that after the exchange with TOC in 2019, the offer of this subscription tier has been removed by TOC. It also has issued a stern warning to TOC on its FY2019 declaration. Also to clarify, any suggestion from subscribers will only influence the topic and editorial discretion is still maintained by the website.
For the sake of clarity, TOC has never received foreign funding and will continue this practice in the future to come.
IMDA’s continual action to pester TOC over its subscription model is nothing more than means of harassment and intimidation of the free press in Singapore.
The licensing regime is simply meant to strike fear in the minds of the would-be donors and subscribers to prevent them from supporting independent journalism in Singapore.
Contrary to expectation, there will be no sad statements of how TOC is being forced to close after nearly 15 years of operations as I assure you that this is just a temporary suspension of its operations and a time of reflection for TOC to look at how it can better improve itself in order to serve Singaporeans, its supporters and the greater public.
As TOC is suspending its operations, we have cancelled or suspended all of our current subscriptions with our subscribers. Whether TOC will revisit the subscription model, is something to be decided in the future.
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all supporters of TOC especially those who have been there for us since the very start, with our founders, Remy Choo Zheng Xi, Andrew Loh, the other former Chief Editors, Ravi Philemon, Joshua Chiang, Kumaran Pillai and the many meritorious contributors of the website such as Howard Lee, Kirsten Han, Lynn Lee, Stephii Chok, Leong Sze Hian, Donaldson Tan, Gangasudhan கங்காசுதன் and many others who have chosen to remain anonymous for the work that they have done out of pure desire for the betterment of Singapore.
TOC couldn’t have lasted so long without all your support over all these years.
 
 
Yours truly,
 
 
Terry Xu
Editor-In-Chief
 

[Stoki]

Official statement from The Online Citizen
  September 16th, 2021 |  Author: Online Press
The Online Citizen (TOC) has taken down its website at exactly 9.08am. If you are wondering, yes the timing is deliberate.
We have also deactivated our social media platforms, not because we agree that Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)’s demand is justified but we do not wish to complicate matters at this point in time.
We will be filing a judicial review against IMDA’s order for TOC to suspend its operation of the social media platforms as they are not part of the declaration that it signed with IMDA in 2018, neither has IMDA mentioned anything in regards to this at any point.
Then-MDA publicly stated, “The registration of TOC Ltd is intended to ensure that the company does not receive foreign funding for the provision, management and/or operation of the TOC website, which is engaged in the propagation, promotion or discussion of political issues related to Singapore.”
Nothing of its press release speaks about operation of social media platforms.
Furthermore, there also does not seem to be any justification for IMDA’s order to have TOC cease its operation outside of Singapore as the issued class license is solely for the purpose of broadcasting in Singapore.
As past instances have shown, IMDA can easily have the local internet service providers block websites from being accessed in Singapore so there is no need to compel TOC to shut down its website in the first place.
TOC would like to reiterate that the sole reason why it is not complying with IMDA’s demand for declaration is the insistence to have the existing subscribers be converted to donors even when evidence have been provided of how subscribers are being compensated for their fees.
TOC had offered to prove the full declaration for FY2020 if IMDA does not quibble over the issue of subscription fees anymore. It has rejected the offer.
IMDA is saying that the subscription that allows “subscribers” to get specific articles written, in return for “subscription funding” received, is a cause for concern as it could be an avenue for foreign influence.
It, however, fails to highlight to the general public that after the exchange with TOC in 2019, the offer of this subscription tier has been removed by TOC. It also has issued a stern warning to TOC on its FY2019 declaration. Also to clarify, any suggestion from subscribers will only influence the topic and editorial discretion is still maintained by the website.
For the sake of clarity, TOC has never received foreign funding and will continue this practice in the future to come.
IMDA’s continual action to pester TOC over its subscription model is nothing more than means of harassment and intimidation of the free press in Singapore.
The licensing regime is simply meant to strike fear in the minds of the would-be donors and subscribers to prevent them from supporting independent journalism in Singapore.
Contrary to expectation, there will be no sad statements of how TOC is being forced to close after nearly 15 years of operations as I assure you that this is just a temporary suspension of its operations and a time of reflection for TOC to look at how it can better improve itself in order to serve Singaporeans, its supporters and the greater public.
As TOC is suspending its operations, we have cancelled or suspended all of our current subscriptions with our subscribers. Whether TOC will revisit the subscription model, is something to be decided in the future.
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all supporters of TOC especially those who have been there for us since the very start, with our founders, Remy Choo Zheng Xi, Andrew Loh, the other former Chief Editors, Ravi Philemon, Joshua Chiang, Kumaran Pillai and the many meritorious contributors of the website such as Howard Lee, Kirsten Han, Lynn Lee, Stephii Chok, Leong Sze Hian, Donaldson Tan, Gangasudhan கங்காசுதன் and many others who have chosen to remain anonymous for the work that they have done out of pure desire for the betterment of Singapore.
TOC couldn’t have lasted so long without all your support over all these years.
 
 
Yours truly,
 
 
Terry Xu
Editor-In-Chief
 

Support TOC in other ways

[Huliwang]

TOC people are welcome to use this forum to post their articles for the time being........

[[[ForeverAlone]]]

means what they forever cannot host site , upload video??

[Huliwang]

means what they forever cannot host site , upload video??

TOC's site is different class from this forum lah. TOC requires a licence from IMDA to operate.....

[starbugs]

One website shuts down, another pops up.

One URL is only $20 per year.