The Online Citizen

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The Online Citizen (Chinese: 网络公民), founded in December 2006 by Andrew Loh and Remy Choo Zheng Xi,[1][2] is a defunct community blogging platform formerly involved in political activism in Singapore.[3] It describes itself as a group of advocacy journalists who report on topics not generally covered by the mainstream media.

In 2011, the Singapore Registry of Political Donations gazetted the platform as a political organization, noting that the editors of the website organized online and offline campaigns to change legislation and government policies.[4] Under the Political Donations Act, political entities cannot receive funds from foreign contributors[5] and anonymous contributions above SGD 5000. In 2014, the website registered for a class license, which was regulated under the Broadcast Act. It meant that it had to "undertake not to receive foreign funding for its provision, management and, or, operation as part of the registration".[6]

In February 2018, TOC was de-gazetted as a "political association", as it is currently only run by one man – editor Terry Xu, who has been responsible for the development of content since 2011, when its core team of editors left.[7][8]

The Infocomm Media Development Authority suspended TOC's license in September 2021 over a dispute over reports on funding sources.[9]

Founders and Editors[]

  • Andrew Loh (Founder and former editor)[8]
  • Remy Choo Zheng Xi (Founder and former editor)[8]
  • Kumaran Pillai (former Chief Editor)
  • Ravi Philemon (former Chief Editor)[8]
  • Terry Xu (Executive Editor - Present)

References[]

  1. ^ "Terry Xu: "I Am Ready to Go to Jail Forever."". December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  2. ^ "What Happened Next: Zheng Xi Choo, Singapore". Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  3. ^ Nazry Bahrawi. 2011. Political blog turns the tables on ruling party. South China Morning Post, February 1.
  4. ^ "The Online Citizen" gazetted as political association Archived 2011-02-20 at the Wayback Machine, Channel News Asia, 17 February 2011, retrieved on 31 December 2011
  5. ^ Temasek Review to shut down after July Archived 2011-05-09 at the Wayback Machine, ChannelNewsAsia, 7 April 2011
  6. ^ Tham, Yuen-C (2014-11-10). "Company behind socio-political website TOC registers under class licence notification". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2017-08-20. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
  7. ^ "The Online Citizen website and two other groups no longer considered political associations". The Straits Times. 9 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d "The Online Citizen now a one-man show". The Straits Times. 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  9. ^ The Online Citizen’s licence suspended, ordered to stop posting on website and social media Archived 2021-09-14 at the Wayback Machine, CNA, 14 September 2021

External links[]

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