The Internet And Local Politics: Comm2285 Communication Law

The Internet and Local Politics COMM2285 Communication Law Daniel Yeo Rosslyn Chay Kenneth Goh Adele Wong Joyce Chua

The following images and findings may surprise, shock or even stun you. We hope the audience would observe with an open mind just as we did in undertaking this study. Audience discretion advised.

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Does the Internet have a democratising effect on Politics in Singapore

Internet  Blogs, Discussion forums, Social Networking & Video sharing websites, Political websites etc Democratising  Providing equal opportunity for all

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Does the Internet have a democratising effect on Politics in Singapore Year

Home Computer Penetration

Home Internet Penetration

1997 2001 2006 2007

41% 64% 78% 79%

14% 57% 71% 74%

• Greater Internet penetration over the years. • 6 in 10 Singaporeans said they go online to read news, commentaries or postings about local politics or policies.

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Does the Internet have a democratising effect on Politics in Singapore

Democratising Effects of Internet: • Push power from the center of politics to the fringe • Greater access to information and knowledge • Increase governmental accountability • Empower participation in politics • Blogging trend perpetuates a Read Only > Read-Write Culture • Eliminate gatekeepers/intermediaries of news and information

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Does the Internet have a democratising effect on Politics in Singapore

“This unlegislated shift in media regime has also led to a mushrooming of alternative online media on Singapore, what George refers to as “politically contentious journalism”, or media that “challenges dominant ideologies and attempts to democratise public discourse” (George 2003: 1)

Tip of the iceberg: The Internet has a democratising effect on Politics in Singapore

Methodologies • Research papers – Academic theory and thesis • Industry studies – Commissioned studies targeted at greater understanding of the relation between the Internet and Singapore politics. • Interviews – With experts and opinion leaders • Street surveys – Sample size of 200 conducted in various parts of the country.

The Internet impacts a large group of the Public

The Internet impacts a large group of the Public • Reach vs Impact • Noise

The Internet impacts a large group of the Public Reach vs. Impact Reach – Size of audience exposed to a message on a particular medium. Only 40.0% of Internet users believed the Internet could help people understand politics. (Kuo, C.Y., Choi, A., Mahizhnan, A. Lee W.P. & Soh C. (2002). Internet in Singapore: A study on usage and impact. Times Academic Press

“Internet penetration covers only a portion of the population.  Within this group, only a handful post their thoughts and opinions online.  As such, online opinion speak only for a selected group of the population.  There is still a large group of offline Singaporeans whose views might or might not coincide with the views of those who are online.” ~ Worker’s Party

The Internet impacts a large group of the Public Reach vs. Impact Is there a great impact? “From my experience in AIMS and the focus groups we held, when it comes to controversial issues such as gay rights and casinos, most people have very strong opinions that will not be easily swayed by other people’s points of view” ~ Assoc Prof Milagros Rivera, Chair of NUS Communications and New Media program

Noise (e.g. advertisers, other nonpolitical programmes)

Traditional Media

Transmitter

Receiver

(E.g. TV or Newspaper) Message SENDER

RECEIVER

Noise from: Blogs  Discussion Forums  Political Websites  News Portals INTERNET

Transmitter

Receiver

Message SENDER

RECEIVER

The Internet impacts a large group of the Public Noise “A lot of good analysis can be published online; so can a lot of rubbish.” “I am not convinced that all the debate on the net is even remotely meaningful – a lot is just childish and sometimes, plain silly. Even nasty. There are more serious forums, more academic or thoughtful political commentary, but does the average surfer bother to be discerning?” ~ Dr Thio Li-Ann Nominated Member of Parliament Prof. Law National University of Singapore

“There is also a prevalence of noises, rumours and distortions in cyberspace. As AIMS has noted, while there were reasoned and critical views, there was also “a great deal of unhelpful commentary and discussions online”.” ~ Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Infocommunication, Communications and the Arts in response to a Parliamentary question on 4 Feb

The Internet impacts a large group of the Public Reaching out for whom? Top Site Categories in

Singapore Based on Time Spent Total Singapore Internet Feb-09 Audience*, Age 15+ - Home & Work Locations   Source: comScore World Metrix Share   (%) of Total Minutes Spent   Online Total Internet 100% Instant Messengers 24.2% Entertainment 13.8% Social Networking 8.0% e-mail 5.7% Online Gaming 2.4% Search/Navigation 2.3% Blogs 2.1% Business/Finance 1.9% Community 1.5% News/Information 1.3% All Other Categories 37.0%

The Internet impacts a large group of the Public

NO. The Internet does not impact a large group of Public despite the high penetration.

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics? Information does not equate to involvement What sort of websites do you normally surf? % of responses Arts & Culture

1.4%

E-Administration

4.0%

Politics and Grassroots

4.2%

Sports & Health

6.7%

Beauty & Wellness

7.8%

Travel

8.5%

Blogs & Discussion Forums

10.0%

Video Sharing Fashion/Entertainment and Gossip News & Current Affairs

10.2%

Social Networking

23.0%

10.5% 13.7%

Politics and Grassroots is a low priority for Singapore netizens.

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics? Information does not equate to involvement “Despite the anonymous nature of cyberspace, 88% of those who read about local politics and policies online are passive – they do not post their own views or comments.” -Media Research Consultants Survey, May 2009

“Few are willing to actually participate.” - NMP Siew Kum Hong

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics? The online world is not immune from real world imbalances “The virtual world merely mirrors reality.” - NMP Siew Kum Hong

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics? The potential of the internet is regulated “Most people do not speak up on public issues and one can understand why – all the personal and professional assassination going on – why bother to speak up for the common good?” - Dr Thio Li-Ann, Professor of Law, NUS “Singaporeans young and old don’t really care about politics. It’s because of the climate of fear.” - Mr Martyn See, Filmmaker, Singapore Rebel

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics? The potential of the internet is regulated What is the reason behind not participating in these discussions on Singapore politics? Others

2.2%

Job-related prohibitions Unsure of legality of making political comments Fear of legal prosecution

4.5% 10.2%

No Interest

30.1%

Feels it does not change matters

40.1%

12.1%

What is the main reason you feel that the Internet is not a good medium for free and open political discussion? Others Too much cyber-bullying and irrelevant topics Possible prosecution

3.4%

11.2%

Lack of quality discussion

32.6%

No political empowerment

43.8%

9.0%

Internet regulations and the fear of them are inhibiting the potential of the internet for politics.

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics? There can be no interest if action has no effect “For most people, most of the time, politics is indeed boring.” - Associate Professor Dr Ang Peng Hwa, Head, Singapore Internet Research Centre, NTU

The Internet will get more Singaporeans involved in Politics? There can be no interest if action has no effect What is the reason behind not participating in these discussions on Singapore politics? Others

2.2%

Job-related prohibitions Unsure of legality of making political comments Fear of legal prosecution

4.5% 10.2%

No Interest

30.1%

Feels it does not change matters

40.1%

12.1%

What is the main reason you feel that the Internet is not a good medium for free and open political discussion? Others Too much cyber-bullying and irrelevant topics Possible prosecution

3.4%

11.2%

Lack of quality discussion

32.6%

No political empowerment

43.8%

9.0%

Singapore netizens are not interested in politics as their actions have no effect.

NO. The Internet will not by itself get more Singaporeans involved in Politics.

The Internet allows free flow of political discussion

The Internet allows free flow of political discussion • The Internet facilitates as a platform for “free speech” and interaction in new forms of political community found online, where anyone can “challenge professional and official positions” in a wide scope. ~ Terry Flew: 2002; New Media: an introduction; p185

Q: BUT can this theory apply for Singapore political climate? • “The majority of Internet users also disagreed that using the Internet would enable them to have more say about what the government does (49.8% disagreed) ...” ~ NTU 2001 Adult Survey; funded by Infocomm Development of Singapore and SBA; School of Communication and Information; December 2002: p16

Government’s Internet Regulations Year

Web Regulations

1996

•

Registration required by SBA for content providers belonging to political parties or any groups discussing topics on politics, race or religion to register.

1998

•

Censorship restrictions under Undesirable Publication Act extended to modern electronic media.

2001

•

Parliamentary Elections Act amendment – Political parties could use the Internet to campaign but no podcasts and vodcasts allowed.

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The Government issued a ‘Positive list’ under the same act.

Cases of clashes with the government Name

Occupatio Date n

Dr. Tan Chong Kee

N/A

Chen Jiahao

Singapore Democrati c Party (SDP) Yap Keng Ho

Gopalan Nair

Graduate student / Blogger

N/A

SDP activist

Activity

July – Aug. • 2001

Mar.2005

•

Launched website – Sintercom as a platform for discussions about S’pore

Charges / Sanctions •

Asked to register under SBA Notification 1996

•

Self-censor and remove all politics-related content

•

Shut down the website in the end

Criticised A*STAR’s • new policy •

April 2006 •

Nov. 2006 •

Singaporean May - June • lawyer 2008 /member of Worker’s Party

Post podcasts on its • website • Posting a film of unregistered rally in his blog • Criticised the handling of a defamation case by the Supreme Court

Issued a warning of taking legal actions for libellous comments Closed his blog and post an apology letter to A*Star online Removal of all its podcasts Against the Parliamentary Elections Act

•

Sentenced to 10 days in jail + removal of related documents Sedition Act against the administration of justice in Singapore

•

Served 61 days in jail

The Internet allows free flow of political discussion •

“Such a case reinforces the power of local defamation laws and the government’s usage of this tool for control of the internet and citizens’ actions online.” ~ Dr. Thio Li-ann: 2008; Singapore Journal of Legal Studies

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“The curbs on the use of the Internet by opposition parties were part of a broader obstruction of the exploitation of new media for political discussion or propaganda purposes.” ~ Garry Rodan is an associate professor of politics and a member of the Asia Research Centre at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.

•

"This has a chilling effect as people may steer clear of discussing politics, as they fear running foul of the law.“ ~ Academic Mark Cenite, Nanyang Technological University; The Straits Times: 05/04/06

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"Such rules should not be there in the first place. In a democracy, you want the people and political parties to have access to as many tools as possible for a free flow of information.“ ~Mr. Tan Tarn How; of the Institute of Policy Studies

NO. The Internet does not allow free flow of political discussion.

The internet influences electoral issues. 

The Internet influences electoral issues

Since the increase in internet penetration, support for alternative politics have not increased significantly

The Internet influences electoral issues Table 1: Internet Penetration Year 2001

Internet Penetration 57%

2006

71%

Source: 2002/2006/2007 Annual Survey on Infocomm usage in households and by individuals

Table 2: Percentage of votes for opposition parties with websites Opposition Party

1997

2001

2006

Singapore Democratic Alliance

No seats contested

12.%

13.0%

National Solidarity Party

6.7%

No seats contested

No seats contested

Singapore People’s Party

2.3%

No seats contested

No seats contested

Singapore Democratic Party

10.6%

8.1%

4.1%

Source: Complied and collated from the Singapore Statistics, Singapore Government’s Elections Department website, independent election watch websites, media reports, election watch reports, academic sources.

Increase in Internet Penetration: 14% Increase in support for alternative politics: 1% or negative growth

The Internet influences electoral issues

“The freedom to distribute alternative political content through the internet will not lead to change in electoral results.” - James Gomez, Political Scholar

The Internet influences electoral issues Since the increase in internet penetration, electoral outcomes have not been affected

"The evidence shows that the Internet hasn't been able to influence the number of seats won by the PAP.” – James Gomez, Political Scholar

The Internet influences electoral issues “In quantitative terms, the impact on election results has been nil.” ~ James Gomez, Political Scholar

“I don't think AIMS aims to create an environment whereby internet chatter will swing elections.” ~ Alex Au, political commentator

The Internet influences electoral issues Online political advertising does not have an effect. “I would say that loosening regulations and allowing political advertising on the Internet may not necessarily result in an increase in the seats or votes garnered by the opposition parties in the next elections.” ~ NMP Siew Kum Hong

The Internet influences electoral issues ”Only 18.7% of Internet users and 14.8% of non-users believed the Internet would give the people more say in governance.” ~ Internet in Singapore: A study on usage and impact, Research Paper

“Change cannot be effected from cyberspace.” “Its citizenry remain … uncertain of the capabilities of opposition members to govern Singapore.” ~ Ramanthan, Research Paper

“The internet cannot be the panacea. It is an important part but not the cure-all”

The Internet influences electoral issues The structure of the political system does not allow the internet to influence electoral issues

“The opposition needs an influx of new blood .... It also needs a compelling manifesto – it’s hard to do so when the PAP has swallowed the middle ground.” “The internet is a source of publicity and information, but really does not speak to the issue of being able to put forward a good team of candidates.”

NO. The Internet does not influence electoral issues.

Conclusion “Discussion on the Internet is analogous to discussion at the coffeeshop.  The quality of discussion really depends on the people participating in the discussion.” – Worker’s Party “You need a good and inspiring message as well as extensive reach, via internet and other means.” – Dr Thio Li-Ann “Mr Siew… feels that although the Government at times, “overreacts to and overestimates the weight of online chatter”, it should still, as a principle, “do its best to engage and respond to all views, whether supportive or critical”.” Do you feel that punitive defamatory suits are impeding on free and open political discussion on the Internet? What possible alternatives would you suggest to regulate online discussion? Of course. The chilling effect is well-documented. There is no one way to regulate online discussion. Much depends on what is discussed: national secrets? Information on how to build a bomb to attack our Istana, the SIM canteen? Trade secrets?

Conclusion •Internet  Medium •Noise •Right Direction

Possible Solutions “Singaporeans know that the space they enjoy was not provided by socially recognised rights. Instead, they have simply seized the freedom provided by technologies that they acquire. Second, freedoms seized in this manner are not burdened by any sense of social responsibility. Singaporeans exercising their freedom on the internet can tell themselves that it is their own individual cleverness that earned them this freedom. They bought their computers, subscribed for the internet, downloaded the programs and mustered the gumption.” ~Dr Cherian George Assoc Prof NTU School of Communication and Information

“If society wants to continue enjoying greater freedoms, it must be willing to accept the responsibilities to these rights. Self-regulating would provide a freer environment where content providers are responsible for what they say that prevents the harsh legislation from being reinstated.” ~ Jonathan Yuen, Associate Director/ Litigator based in Singapore.

Possible Solutions • Community Regulation • Awareness and Education of Legislation and Responsibility.

What lies beneath The Internet has a democratising effect on Politics in Singapore

No!