4 March 2016 - The Media Development Authority of Singapore today directed The Opinion Collaborative Ltd to return $5,000 in advertising revenue to a non-commercial foreign advertiser.
The Media Development Authority of Singapore ("MDA") today directed The Opinion Collaborative Ltd ("TOC Ltd") to return $5,000 in advertising revenue to a non-commercial foreign advertiser.
TOC Ltd is registered under the Broadcasting (Class Licence) Notification as an Internet Content Provider engaged in the propagation, promotion, or discussion of political issues relating to Singapore. As part of the registration, TOC Ltd has undertaken not to receive funding from foreign sources for the provision, management and/or operation of the website, The Online Citizen (http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/), except for bona fide commercial purposes. This is to ensure that foreign entities do not engage in domestic politics and to uphold the principle that domestic politics must remain a matter for Singapore and Singaporeans alone.
TOC Ltd's requisite updates of its funding sources for the period of January to April 2015 show that an overseas entity, the Monsoons Book Club Limited ("MBC Ltd"), had provided TOC Ltd with $5,000 on 10 Apr 2015 to advertise on The Online Citizen website.
MBC Ltd is a non-commercial foreign entity incorporated in the United Kingdom. TOC Ltd's receipt of the advertising revenue from MBC Ltd is thus a clear breach of the licence conditions.
MDA has therefore asked TOC Ltd to return this tranche of advertising revenue to MBC Ltd within 30 days.
-END-
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).
.webp)