Clause 12

No person shall print or publish or assist in the printing or publishing of any newspaper in Singapore unless the chief editor of the newspaper has previously obtained a permit in writing under the hand of the Minister authorizing the publication thereof, which permit he may in his discretion grant, refuse, or revoke, or grant subject to conditions to be endorsed thereon.

Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section the Minister may direct that the newspaper shall be printed in such language as may be specified in the permit, and may before granting the permit require the applicant to execute a bond with or without sureties to secure the payment of any penalties which may be imposed upon the newspaper company, proprietor or editor of the newspaper under this Act or under any other written law.

Every such permit unless sooner revoked shall ordinarily be for one year from the date of its issue, and may be renewed for further periods of twelve months.

Notice of the grant or withdrawal of a permit to publish a newspaper shall be given in the Gazette.

The Minister may make rules prescribing the particulars to be supplied by an applicant for a permit under this section.

A permit under this section shall be in addition to any licence issued under section 3 of this Act in respect of the printing press at which any newspaper is to be printed.

Any person dissatisfied with any decision of the Minister or with any condition imposed by the Minister under this section may appeal to the President whose decision thereon shall be final.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section or fails to comply with any condition attached to the grant of a permit under this section shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable to the penalty prescribed by section 25 of this Act.