By Derrick Ho, The Straits Times, 7 Feb 2013
THE chief of a government- convened group to promote media literacy has made it clear that it will not be developing an Internet code of conduct.
Instead, the Media Literacy Council, established in August last year, will "redouble" its public education efforts to show Internet users acceptable behaviour, its chairman, Professor Tan Cheng Han, said on Tuesday.
An Internet code of conduct was first mooted by then Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Yaacob Ibrahim in late 2011.
He said then that such guidelines could help moderate online opinions and discussions such that they will not offend racial and religious groups and communities here.
Since then, the concept of such a code has attracted much controversy.
Several prominent bloggers and socio-political websites have expressed fierce opposition, arguing that the move was a way for the Government to control free speech on the Internet.
Prof Tan said that while the council did discuss the necessity of a code, it eventually decided its priority should be public education. "So at least at this point in time, we do not intend to proceed to work towards a code of conduct."
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of Singapore's first Safer Internet Day - a global annual event to promote safe and responsible use of online technology among youth.
Prof Tan said in his speech that online and social media policies already implemented by some organisations can help set behavioural norms and promote more responsible Internet usage.
Prof Tan said in his speech that online and social media policies already implemented by some organisations can help set behavioural norms and promote more responsible Internet usage.
But he stressed that public education will remain the council's primary approach and priority.
The 21-member council, which includes academics and professionals from social services, was set up by the Media Development Authority to educate people on how to use the Internet and advise the Government on media issues.
The council will roll out the first of several initiatives this year, said Prof Tan, the former head of the National University of Singapore's law faculty.
Among them is a Media Literacy Badge programme, an activity-based curriculum developed with Singapore's Cybersports and Online Gaming Association.
The programme will cover topics such as Internet etiquette and cyber-bullying.
Prof Tan said the council aims to roll out the programme by April to all 2,400 boys in the Boys' Brigade across 44 primary schools, as part of the youth organisation's badge work.
The programme will be extended to some 4,000 other boys in 66 secondary schools later this year, and to other uniformed groups after that.
Prof Tan also revealed that the council will likely establish a grant to help students turn their school projects on social media into reality.
An example he cited was a project to promote awareness about online dating scams.
He declined to reveal the value of the grant, adding that details were still being finalised.
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