A rule that has raised eyebrows
10:45 AM Sep 09, 2010
SINGAPORE - It is an annual reminder, according to the university. But its recent circular on blogging has raised eyebrows on campus.
Among its several dos and don'ts for Internet postings, the Nanyang Technological University Students' Affairs Office has set out this rule: Those who create Web pages or blogs containing information regarding politics and religion must acquire proper licences from the Media Development Authority and the university's written approval.
The email was sent on Tuesday to all students with the subject title "Message on Exercising Freedom of Expression Responsibly", in capital letters.
When contacted, NTU Dean of Students Lok Tat Seng said: "Every year, we disseminate information on the dos and don'ts of Internet usage as a regular reminder to our students. The new academic year has just started, hence it's an appropriate time to disseminate the guidelines."
NTU did not respond, however, to MediaCorp's queries on why students needed the university's written approval to create Web pages or blogs touching on politics and religion.
Under the Broadcasting Act, registration is required for websites deemed by the authorities to be propagating political or religious issues relating to Singapore. The last time any website was required to register as a political site was in 2001.
Some NTU students are now questioning the university's approach. Final-year student Terence Lee, 24, who has been blogging about religion the past two years, said it was the first time he had seen its rules.
"My friends are taking a module which requires students to blog about international affairs. Does this mean all of us have to register?" he said.
On the other hand, third-year student Gillian Goh felt the reminder was necessary, even though some of her friends were "unhappy" about it.
Two other universities here approach social media with a light touch.
The National University of Singapore "does not monitor students' postings in blogs and other online media", but a spokesperson said students are expected to abide by the university's Honour Code, which includes "not acting in a manner" which may be detrimental to the university's reputation and interest.
Students from the Singapore Management University, too, are bound by the university's Code of Conduct, whereby students are expected to refrain from hate speech or epithets - be it racial, ethnic, religious, sexual or political in nature - in any media or communication.
"In situations like these, we believe in education and dialogue, instead of authoritarian and punitive measures," its spokesperson said. Leong Wee Keat
Among its several dos and don'ts for Internet postings, the Nanyang Technological University Students' Affairs Office has set out this rule: Those who create Web pages or blogs containing information regarding politics and religion must acquire proper licences from the Media Development Authority and the university's written approval.
The email was sent on Tuesday to all students with the subject title "Message on Exercising Freedom of Expression Responsibly", in capital letters.
When contacted, NTU Dean of Students Lok Tat Seng said: "Every year, we disseminate information on the dos and don'ts of Internet usage as a regular reminder to our students. The new academic year has just started, hence it's an appropriate time to disseminate the guidelines."
NTU did not respond, however, to MediaCorp's queries on why students needed the university's written approval to create Web pages or blogs touching on politics and religion.
Under the Broadcasting Act, registration is required for websites deemed by the authorities to be propagating political or religious issues relating to Singapore. The last time any website was required to register as a political site was in 2001.
Some NTU students are now questioning the university's approach. Final-year student Terence Lee, 24, who has been blogging about religion the past two years, said it was the first time he had seen its rules.
"My friends are taking a module which requires students to blog about international affairs. Does this mean all of us have to register?" he said.
On the other hand, third-year student Gillian Goh felt the reminder was necessary, even though some of her friends were "unhappy" about it.
Two other universities here approach social media with a light touch.
The National University of Singapore "does not monitor students' postings in blogs and other online media", but a spokesperson said students are expected to abide by the university's Honour Code, which includes "not acting in a manner" which may be detrimental to the university's reputation and interest.
Students from the Singapore Management University, too, are bound by the university's Code of Conduct, whereby students are expected to refrain from hate speech or epithets - be it racial, ethnic, religious, sexual or political in nature - in any media or communication.
"In situations like these, we believe in education and dialogue, instead of authoritarian and punitive measures," its spokesperson said. Leong Wee Keat
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