Digital Media Censorship in Singapore An Individualized Study Options Project by Wesley Phay Chun Wah Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Project Scope Introduction to Project Introduction to Project Objectives of the Project Objectives of the Project Research Study Research Study Survey Questionnaire Survey Questionnaire Analysis of Survey Results Analysis of Survey Results Conclusion Conclusion

Introduction to Project: What is Digital Media Censorship? The MICA censors inappropriate media The MICA censors inappropriate media Digital media refers to websites, digital videos/images, blogs, podcasts, etc. Digital media refers to websites, digital videos/images, blogs, podcasts, etc. Undesirable content include: pornography, racial discrimination, politically provocative media, blood and gore Undesirable content include: pornography, racial discrimination, politically provocative media, blood and gore

Introduction to Project (continued) Censorship can be for a variety of reasons Censorship can be for a variety of reasons Local ISPs block high-profile sites such as Playboy, but very few sites are blacklisted Local ISPs block high-profile sites such as Playboy, but very few sites are blacklisted For example, 2 bloggers were jailed for posting racist comments on blogs For example, 2 bloggers were jailed for posting racist comments on blogs Singaporean government also censors politically provocative media, such as Singapore Rebel by Martyn See Singaporean government also censors politically provocative media, such as Singapore Rebel by Martyn See

Objectives of the Project 3 Main Objectives 3 Main Objectives To find out more about Singapore government’s stand on digital media censorship To find out more about Singapore government’s stand on digital media censorship To find out what Year 2 Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) students think about digital media censorship To find out what Year 2 Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) students think about digital media censorship Raise awareness about the importance of digital media censorship and educate internet-users about the laws pertaining censorship Raise awareness about the importance of digital media censorship and educate internet-users about the laws pertaining censorship

Research Study Research shows that MICA allows internet users to view digital content at their own discretion Research shows that MICA allows internet users to view digital content at their own discretion However, distribution or online publication of undesirable digital media is punishable by the law However, distribution or online publication of undesirable digital media is punishable by the law Some Singaporeans feel that freedom of speech should be allowed Some Singaporeans feel that freedom of speech should be allowed

Survey I distributed about 100 survey forms and received 81 responses I distributed about 100 survey forms and received 81 responses Respondents are all Year 2 students of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Respondents are all Year 2 students of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Thus survey only finds the opinion of extremely narrow category of people Thus survey only finds the opinion of extremely narrow category of people

Questionnaire Multiple-Choice Questions (from 1 – 8) Multiple-Choice Questions (from 1 – 8) Are you aware of the current state of digital media censorship in Singapore? Are you aware of the current state of digital media censorship in Singapore? Is Singapore’s stand on digital media too harsh/strict? Is Singapore’s stand on digital media too harsh/strict? Should Singaporeans have the right to view any digital media that they want? Should Singaporeans have the right to view any digital media that they want? Should pornographic media be censored? Should pornographic media be censored? Should violence/gore in digital media be censored? Should violence/gore in digital media be censored? Should politically provocative media be censored? Should politically provocative media be censored? Should racist/discriminative media be censored? Should racist/discriminative media be censored? Should blogs with unsavoury content be censored? Should blogs with unsavoury content be censored? Open-ended Question Open-ended Question What do you think about the general state of digital media censorship in Singapore? (e.g. stringency, censorship standards) What do you think about the general state of digital media censorship in Singapore? (e.g. stringency, censorship standards)

Survey Results

Analysis of Survey Results There is a need to increase awareness about the guidelines of digital media censorship There is a need to increase awareness about the guidelines of digital media censorship About 43% felt that Singapore’s censorship is too strict, however about 37% were neutral and 20% felt that Singapore’s current censorship is acceptable About 43% felt that Singapore’s censorship is too strict, however about 37% were neutral and 20% felt that Singapore’s current censorship is acceptable A majority 64% felt that they deserved the right to view any digital media that they want A majority 64% felt that they deserved the right to view any digital media that they want However, many respondents still felt that pornography and racist remarks should be censored However, many respondents still felt that pornography and racist remarks should be censored A large 32% were undecided whether blogs with unsavoury content should be censored or not A large 32% were undecided whether blogs with unsavoury content should be censored or not About 50% felt that violence and politically provocative media should not be censored About 50% felt that violence and politically provocative media should not be censored Overall, according to statistics and open-ended responses, respondents felt that digital media censorship in Singapore is too strict. Overall, according to statistics and open-ended responses, respondents felt that digital media censorship in Singapore is too strict.

Conclusion There is a need to raise awareness about digital media censorship There is a need to raise awareness about digital media censorship to prevent errant internet users from getting into trouble with the law to prevent errant internet users from getting into trouble with the law Respondents felt that the censorship standards were too strict Respondents felt that the censorship standards were too strict need more freedom of speech need more freedom of speech

The End Thank you for listening. Time for the Q&A session.