On August 9, five Singaporeans will launch The Independent, which they describe as a new commercial Internet news operation intended to provide professional independent news, comment and analysis for the island republic. Even before the publication goes live officially, however, it has attracted the attention of a suspicious government, whose Media Development Authority on July 29 posted a statement on the authority's website saying it had "notified the promoters of The Independent…to register under the Broadcasting (Class License) Notification… As part of the registration, they will be required to undertake not to receive foreign funding for its provision, management and/or operation. The promoters of The Independent have agreed to register and to undertake not to accept foreign funding."