Singapore passes law blocking Electronic Communication at Terror Attack scene

March 21,2018:

Law allows Police to stop anyone from taking photos and video about police operations through text and audio messages.

On Wednesday, Singapore’s Parliament passed a controversial law giving the authorities power to block all the electronic communications at the scene of a terror attack, despite protests it will erode media freedom.

Singapore Government has stated that affluent financial hub is a prime target for militants, and that during attacks elsewhere live broadcasts unwittingly helped attackers to anticipate moves against them.

However, Activists argue the law risks further damaging an already poor record what it comes to press freedom in the tightly-controlled city-state.

Josephine Teo, Second minister for Home Affairs, told MPs the measure would only be used in a specific area and would be lifted when security operations are over.

“Reporting is still allowed, just not live reporting. We will allow selected media into the area for later coverage,” she further added.

Lawmakers voted overwhelming in the favour of the measure. Parliament is dominated by MPs from the People’s Action Party, which has governed Singapore for over five decades.

Singapore’s Domestic press is closely controlled. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 151st out of 180 countries in its World Press Freedom Index, with a number-one ranking being the best.