Singapore opposition turns to podcast for outreach

By Fayen Wong

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore opposition party has launched "podcast" on its Web site in an attempt to bypass state-controlled media and reach out to citizens.

But it may not last long.

"The Internet remains a medium that the government finds it hard to censor, although it has enacted many laws aimed at curtailing the use of the Internet for political purposes," Chee said.

The government bans non-commercial private ownership of satellite dishes, publications need permits to circulate and newspapers are published by the government-linked Singapore Press Holdings.

In 2001, prior to a parliamentary poll, new laws were introduced to control the dissemination of political messages via the Internet and in text messages on mobile phones.

The Media Authority of Singapore (MDA), the city-state's media watchdog, said podcasting comes under current media laws.

"The MDA will continue to study developments in this area and refine its approach," said Casey Chang, spokeswoman for the MDA, declining to spell out whether the SDP would be contravening any law by podcasting.

Internet News Article | Reuters.co.uk