SINGAPORE: The press accreditation of local media outlet Mothership has been suspended for the second time in less than two years, after it broke an embargo earlier this week on the rise in water prices in Singapore.
In its reply on Friday (Sep 29) to CNA's queries, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) did not indicate the length of the suspension. CNA has asked MCI for its response on this matter.
On Tuesday, Mothership broke the embargo – which had been set for Wednesday – by publishing an article on its website and via a post on its Facebook page, detailing how water prices will rise over the next two years.
MCI then suspended Mothership’s press accreditation.
This means that Mothership will not be able to attend briefings and press conferences held by government agencies while the suspension is in effect.
None of its employees were present at a press conference helmed by Deputy Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday morning about the government’s latest support measures to help Singaporeans cope with rising prices.
Mothership has until Oct 11 to make any representations on the matter and the suspension, said MCI.
Mothership’s press accreditation was first suspended for six months in March last year, after it broke an embargo on the details of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) increases during Budget 2022.
It had published an infographic on its Facebook page with information on the staggered GST increases prior to the government’s announcement.
At the time, managing editor Martino Tan said they would “use this period before the reinstatement to strengthen our internal processes and implement the necessary remedial actions”.
On Friday, Mothership issued a statement "unreservedly" apologising to "Singaporeans, our stakeholders — especially PUB and MCI — and our industry colleagues" and for "causing such unnecessary trouble at a time when there are more pressing priorities to focus on".
"This is our second breach of embargo in 2 years, in spite of our commitment and efforts to prevent such a situation from occurring again. While this may have been an error on the part of an individual colleague, as Managing Editor I assume personal responsibility for not adequately ensuring and enforcing the standards that we had set for ourselves," said Mr Tan.
"We are particularly devastated by this and are deeply disappointed with ourselves. Our spirits have hit rock bottom, but my colleagues and I vow to get to the core of these lapses and resolve these operating issues once and for all."
Continue reading...
In its reply on Friday (Sep 29) to CNA's queries, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) did not indicate the length of the suspension. CNA has asked MCI for its response on this matter.
On Tuesday, Mothership broke the embargo – which had been set for Wednesday – by publishing an article on its website and via a post on its Facebook page, detailing how water prices will rise over the next two years.
MCI then suspended Mothership’s press accreditation.
This means that Mothership will not be able to attend briefings and press conferences held by government agencies while the suspension is in effect.
None of its employees were present at a press conference helmed by Deputy Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday morning about the government’s latest support measures to help Singaporeans cope with rising prices.
Mothership has until Oct 11 to make any representations on the matter and the suspension, said MCI.
PREVIOUS SUSPENSION
Mothership’s press accreditation was first suspended for six months in March last year, after it broke an embargo on the details of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) increases during Budget 2022.
It had published an infographic on its Facebook page with information on the staggered GST increases prior to the government’s announcement.
At the time, managing editor Martino Tan said they would “use this period before the reinstatement to strengthen our internal processes and implement the necessary remedial actions”.
MOTHERSHIP'S RESPONSE TO LATEST SUSPENSION
On Friday, Mothership issued a statement "unreservedly" apologising to "Singaporeans, our stakeholders — especially PUB and MCI — and our industry colleagues" and for "causing such unnecessary trouble at a time when there are more pressing priorities to focus on".
"This is our second breach of embargo in 2 years, in spite of our commitment and efforts to prevent such a situation from occurring again. While this may have been an error on the part of an individual colleague, as Managing Editor I assume personal responsibility for not adequately ensuring and enforcing the standards that we had set for ourselves," said Mr Tan.
"We are particularly devastated by this and are deeply disappointed with ourselves. Our spirits have hit rock bottom, but my colleagues and I vow to get to the core of these lapses and resolve these operating issues once and for all."
Continue reading...