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Online Documentary on Singapore Blogosphere

One of my former students has just done an online documentary on the Singaporean Blogosphere. I had an interview with her which I understand appears in parts. I have not yet had the time to go through the documentary so I have no idea what clips she used. I do have the entire interview which I might put online in the future

"... it remains unknown whether blogs in Singapore will persistently serve as alternative sites to diversity the political discourse in Singapore. Rather than heralding the democratic potential of blogs, I would argue that blogs are by nature more of a self-serving means of expression than a representation of popular will. Hence, it remains to be seen whether in a closely monitored Police State, a centralising structure such as Tomorrow and the emergence of celebrity bloggers may serve to amalgamate the collective intelligence rather than privilege the voice of a dominant collective in the Singapore blogosphere." [ref]

Link: ALL THE REDS.

Party over here

S$18 million and this still happens?

Must be expecting one hell of a party

The Singapore Police are spending more than S$ 18, 000, 000 on some new toys.

1. customised, portable barricades are being developed. These "public order barricades" can be transformed into a 2.5metre-tall structure weighing 500kg to respond to different "threat levels". They are also built with razor mesh on top to prevent rioters from climbing over.
2. a multi-functional van, which — besides patrolling and transporting personnel in custody — can also be deployed to maintain public order. The police are bringing in 33 units of the vehicle at $140,000 each. Equipped with an automated barricade fence, the windows of the 4.25-tonne vehicle are reinforced by security mesh and its undercarriage is protected against petrol bombs.
3. 47 vehicles at a cost of $13.79 million. Designed to withstand impact, these purpose-built vehicles also come with protective features such as an undercarriage fire extinguishing system and a ventilation system that prevents harmful gases from seeping in. They are also equipped with features such as detachable, front-mounted barricades, strobe lights, gun ports and 360-degree video recording systems.
4. and at least two other types of vehicles. [ref for all above]

But Singapore is a country of law and order. There last time there was a ruckus of any real significance was ages ago [in 1964].  The most exciting thing to have happened recently was the Hello Kitty Wars in 2000.

So what's with the firepower upgrade? Nothing sinister. Nothing to do with the elections. Nothing to do with James Gomez.

Irrepressible.info

Amnesty International has launched a new campaign, Irrepressible.info, that will bring together all their campaigns about the repression of the internet and the jailing of net dissidents. It will focus on both the role of governments as well as corporations on repression of the internet.

"... the internet itself can become a tool of repression where the monitoring of communications, the censoring and filtering of information and the amassing of immense databanks of information enhance the ability of authoritarian governments to restrict the freedoms and basic human rights of their citizens. Such national restrictions can affect not just those living within that country but anyone who  seeks to impart or receive information in relation to that country." The Internet And Freedom Of Expression: A New Frontier For Human Rights? [pdf]

"... there is a real danger of there being ‘two internets’– one that is an arena for the free and peaceful exchange of ideas, and another thatis a tool for political oppression. It is a danger that threatens to undermine the very principleon which the internet was founded." Irrepressible Information [pdf]

Who will free me from my slavery to advertising

So much of the advertising we encounter we don't even think of anymore as advertising. the logos on our t-shirts, shoes and bags. the packing on our toothpastes, cornflakes and plastic bags. Our journey through our day has a constant companion in advertising.

So it was a rude shock to me to read this letter in Today.

"Public spaces are the responsibility of the Government. Licences for aesthetically-designed and strategically-placed billboards can be awarded to advertising agencies on a revenue-sharing basis. ...

State land can be rented out for suitable events. Lampposts can have small television sets attached to them.

... What is needed is a single coordinating body between the various Government ministries and the advertising agencies." [ref]

Andrew Yap, who wrote the letter, actually wants more advertising. He want the government more involved in commercial activity. What he is suggesting is that the state set up some kind of trust fund into which advertising revenue from leasing out public space is channeled. state land, lampposts, parking coupons - its all worth using for advertising.

Is yeochoewtong.com that powerful?

www.yeocheowtong.com is taking credit for the retirement of its namesake from the cabinet in Singapore. There is a discussion going on at the moment on Sammyboy's Alfresco Coffee Shop about this matter.

The rationale is that since www.yeocheowtong.com has served up much 'dirt' on Cheow Tong [back story], it has forced the hand of PAP through the power of the Internet.

"Is yeocheowtong.com that powerful? Not even the PAP can overcome the power of the Internet."

Let try and answer that.

The rationale is that since PAP leaders have often made said that if the one's reputation has been sullied by another, then its imperative that one must sue for defamation.

"When I call a man openly, you're a liar, you're dishonest, and you do not dare to sue me, there's something basically wrong." MM Lee [ref]

MM Lee said this recently in reference to the James Gomez affair. MM Lee called Gomez a liar and accused him of being dishonest. The argument is that Gomez should take MM Lee to court to clear his name and redeem his reputation. Should Gomez not do so, the logical inference would be that MM Lee was correct about Gomez and that he was a liar and dishonest.