10 November 2014 - MDA has received the Registration Documents from TOC Ltd and will be reviewing them to ensure that the information provided is in order.
MDA has received the Registration Documents from TOC Ltd and will be reviewing them to ensure that the information provided is in order.
Contrary to TOC Ltd’s media release dated 10 November 2014, MDA’s concern with foreign funding is neither excessive nor unwarranted.
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. The registration upholds the longstanding principle that politics must remain a matter for Singapore and Singaporeans alone.
The existing restrictions on foreign funding only prohibit TOC Ltd from receiving donations from foreign sources. They do not prohibit TOC Ltd from receiving funds for bona fide commercial purposes, such as from foreign advertisers or foreign subscribers. These restrictions only pertain to the TOC website, and do not apply for any other business which TOC Ltd may be engaged in. Such a regulation recognises the evolving nature of an online social enterprise and can hardly be regarded as excessive.
MDA had registered TOC in 2011 as it was gazetted a political association under the Political Donations Act. The current registration is with regard to the company, TOC Ltd, which was only formed earlier this year and which should not be confused with the registration of TOC. While there is some overlap, the members of TOC and the directors of TOC Ltd are not the same. TOC Ltd is not gazetted under the PDA, and is therefore registered as a corporate entity with an undertaking not to receive foreign funding.
We will continue to work with all relevant agencies to ensure that there are appropriate measures in place to safeguard against foreign funding of websites which propagate, promote or discuss political issues related to Singapore.
About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the growth of globally competitive film, television, radio, publishing, games, animation and interactive digital media industries. It also regulates the media sector to safeguard the interests of consumers, and promotes a connected society. MDA is a statutory board under the Ministry of Communications and Information (www.mci.gov.sg).
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