Twitter can censor tweets by country

Twitter has announced that it now has the technology to selectively block tweets on a country by country basis. It’s a victory for countries like China and India which block or threaten to block websites carrying “objectionable” content. Twitter seems to be giving in to countries with restrictions on freedom of expression to expand its global business.

On its blog, Twitter said it could “reactively withhold content from users in a specific country”.

But it said the removed content would be available to the rest of the world. Previously when Twitter deleted a tweet, it would disappear worldwide. Continue reading

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India 131st, Singapore 135th on Press Freedom Index

India continues to slide down the Press Freedom Index while Singapore has moved up one place.  Singapore is ranked 135th on the 2011-2012 Press Freedom Index while India is 131st, having dropped nine places. India was 122nd on the 2010 Press Freedom Index, down from 105th in 2009. Continue reading

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George Yeo honoured by India

Singapore’s former foreign minister George Yeo has been awarded the Padma  Bhushan by the Indian government. The national awards are part of India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

A news report says:

Former Singapore foreign minister George Yong-Boon Yeo – named for a Padma Bhushan award Wednesday – is helping set up an international university in Bihar’s Nalanda.

Congratulations!

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Salman Rushdie raps ‘the real enemies of Islam’

It’s a shame Salman Rushdie wasn’t allowed to address the Jaipur Literature Festival even by video link because of opposition from Muslim groups. “Even seeing his face is intolerable,” said Muslims protesting against the proposed video conference with the author of The Satanic Verses, which is banned in India. Continue reading

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Gong xi fa cai! And a poem on Singapore

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his Chinese New Year message says:

Ultimately we all want to make Singapore the best home in the world for ourselves, our families and our children. We all want ours to remain an inclusive, meritocratic society where every child has the chance to realise his dreams and aspirations. We all want our children and grandchildren to enjoy many opportunities in Singa­pore and beyond, even as they remain rooted by a deep sense of belonging in Singapore.

He could have been speaking for everyone in Singapore — and for everyone who loves Singapore.

Gong xi fa cai! It’s the Year of the Dragon from tomorrow.

“The Year of the Dragon is likely to see more uncertainty in the global economy,” said PM Lee. So, here’s wishing everyone good luck.

To sign off, what could be better than a poem on Singapore? Continue reading

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Salman Rushdie avoids India after death threats

Salman Rushdie has announced he won’t be attending the Jaipur Literary Festival in India because of death threats. Who is to blame? Continue reading

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Lee Kuan Yew: Singapore must not be a Third World country

Lee Kuan Yew is quoted less often since he ceased to be Singapore’s Minister Mentor after the parliamentary elections  in May last year when the opposition won six seats for the first time.  But he can still speak and write with such authority.  I read his letter on ministers’ salaries which appeared in Today newspaper. Those who claim Singapore ministers are overpaid – Lee Kuan Yew’s son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be paid S$2.2 million ($1.7 million) a year and new ministers S$1.1 million after pay cuts – may not agree with the former Minister Mentor. But Lee Kuan is certainly right when he says: Continue reading

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Internet blackout against SOPA, PIPA

Internet users could still check Wikipedia using Google cache, as Fox News pointed out on Wednesday when the online encyclopedia blacked out in protest against proposed new US laws. Bloggers could also post on WordPress, though it too joined the blackout. What’s the fuss all about? A roundup. Continue reading

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Chinese, Malay and Indian undergraduates in Singapore

The Chinese are ahead in education in Singapore. The proportion of Chinese undergraduates in Singapore universities is greater than the proportion of Chinese among young Singaporeans.  The proportion of Indian and Malay undergraduates in Singapore universities, on the other hand, is less than the  proportion of Indians and Malay among young Singaporeans.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said the proportions of Chinese, Malay and Indians among Singapore citizens admitted to the local universities were 89 per cent, 5 per cent and 4 per cent respectively in 2011, reported AsiaOne. Continue reading

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India cracks down on Google, Facebook and social media

Sonia Gandhi is taking after her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi. Not only is she the undisputed leader of the Congress party; her government is also trying to curb freedom of expression. Continue reading

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