Breakfast Network is was a socio-political news and commentary site run and founded by former journalist Bertha Henson. I didn't always agree with everything on the site but the pieces were well-written and reasonable.
The MDA asked them to register under the Broadcasting (Class Licence) Notification and after looking at the onerous forms and criteria that the Gahmen (or The G, as Bertha likes to call Them), asked them to fill, the Breakfast Network decided not to register and close the site instead.
When I first heard that Breakfast Network was shutting down in response to the licensing, I tweeted:
"The Gahmen response will probably be: "We nair shut down Breakfast Network what. We asked them to register only. They chose to ownself close one!"
Sure enough, today we read the official statement from the MDA:
"The Media Development Authority (MDA) said it will require that socio-political commentary website Breakfast Network cease its online service. That is because Breakfast Network has decided not to submit its registration form, said an MDA spokesman on Tuesday."
How convenient.
You can see for yourself the number of forms and the kind of info the MDA wanted from the Breakfast Network at this link. Ask yourself, would YOU register under these circumstances?
I think the MDA should change their name to Media Destruction Authority. I don't see any development here, just shackles and rules designed to ensure only the "right" kind of content (the kind The G approves of) get seen. Cherian George weighs in too, and I agree with him that the Singapore Gahmen's "light touch" era is over.
You can still read Breakfast Network at their Facebook page. In the meantime, you can always enjoy other alternative news sources like TRS and STOMP.
Good, right?
I will leave you with a haiku for the guys at Breakfast Network:
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No Breakfast Network
Because The G only drinks
Licensed Kopi-o
