The Online Citizen

The Online Citizen (TOC) is a socio-political blogging platform known for its independent journalism and commentary, particularly on issues pertaining to Singapore. Established in December 2006 by Andrew Loh and Remy Choo Zheng Xi, TOC has positioned itself as a voice covering topics often overlooked by mainstream media.

History

Early Years (2006–2010)

Initially, TOC functioned as a volunteer-driven platform, focusing on citizen journalism and commentary on political, social, and economic issues. TOC gained a following for its coverage of housing policies, social inequality, and governance, as well as its advocacy for greater civil liberties.

In 2009, TOC played a significant role in covering the AWARE saga, a controversial leadership takeover of the Association of Women for Action and Research. TOC’s detailed accounts and on-the-ground reporting of the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) helped shape public understanding of the event.

By 2010, TOC had become one of the most prominent independent socio-political websites in Singapore. Its growing influence led to increased government scrutiny and regulatory challenges.

Transition to Political Association (2011–2015)

In 2011, the Singapore Registry of Political Donations designated TOC as a political association, citing its involvement in campaigns aimed at influencing legislation. This classification restricted foreign funding and capped anonymous contributions at SGD 5,000. On 24 January 2011, TOC submitted its required appointment holders: Siew Kum Hong, Joshua Chiang, Ravi Philemon, and Leong Sze Hian.

In 2014, TOC came under the management of The Opinion Collaborative Ltd (TOC Ltd), a social enterprise. TOC retained editorial independence while ceding administrative and fundraising functions to TOC Ltd.

Restructuring and Relocation (2015–Present)

Following the 2015 General Election, TOC left TOC Ltd and was registered as a private limited company under Terry Xu. By February 2018, it was de-gazetted as a political association as it was then operated solely by Xu. In May 2020, TOC rebranded as The Online Citizen Asia.

In September 2021, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) cancelled TOC's broadcasting class license due to non-compliance with funding declarations. TOC subsequently relocated operations to Taiwan.

In July 2023, the Singapore government classified TOC’s digital platforms as Declared Online Locations (DOLs). By September 2024, TOC resumed operations under its original name, dropping the "Asia" suffix to expand onto platforms not designated as DOLs.

Founders and Editors

Editors-in-Chief

Name	Start Date	End Date
Andrew Loh	December 2006	June 2011
Ravi Philemon	June 2011	March 2012
Kumaran Pillai	March 2012	2013
Terry Xu	March 2013	Present

Legal and Political Issues

TOC has faced numerous legal challenges, including defamation suits and regulatory restrictions under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).

• Defamation (2019–2021): Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sued Terry Xu over an article regarding the Lee family dispute. In 2021, the High Court ordered Xu to pay S$210,000 in damages.
• Criminal Defamation (2018–2022): Terry Xu and contributor Daniel De Costa were convicted of criminal defamation over a letter alleging corruption. Their jail sentences were eventually upheld by the Court of Appeal.
• POFMA Challenges (2020): TOC was one of the first outlets to challenge a POFMA correction direction in court regarding execution methods in Changi Prison; however, the appeal was dismissed by the High Court and Court of Appeal.
• POFMA Section 11(3)(b) (2026): On 24 March 2026, Terry Xu and Miao Yi InfoTech (the Taiwanese holding company for TOC) were issued a direction under Section 11(3)(b) of POFMA by the Minister for Health. This marked the first time an entity was required to publish a correction notice in the print edition of The Straits Times at its own expense, amounting to a cost of SGD 10,400.