Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng says it's a security concern when "religiosity manifests itself in a highly public and assertive manner in a multireligious setting like Singapore". An extract from his recent speech. Full Story
In a democratic society, the respect and support of the public is, in fact, one of the best safeguards for the independence of the Judiciary as an institution. Conversely, a lack of respect and support from the public for the Judiciary and its functions can be detrimental to its independence. However, mechanisms such as the doctrine of contempt should not be used to stifle fair and reasonable criticism of the work of the Judiciary and also judicial decisions. Full Story
Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong has said that critics may be missing the point when they accuse Singapore's courts of lack of independence in defamation cases involving the government. He said that the balance between defamation and free speech was "much misunderstood". In Singapore, "the drafters of the Constitution decided, in their wisdom, to place a higher social value on reputation than on free speech, where they conflict." Critics were missing the point by criticising the Courts "for recognising the political, social and cultural values of Singapore society as expressed in its laws". Full Story
How objective is the criticism of Singapore in relation to press freedom? Is it possible to have a modern, successful, open economy if the people are not empowered and educated? I will share with you something that struck me as quite absurd and divorced from reality: there is an organization called Reporters Without Borders. It comes out with a ranking of countries on press freedom. In 2008 they ranked us 144 out of 173 countries, somewhere below Ethiopia, Sudan, Kazahkstan, Venezuela, Guinea, Haiti, and so on. Full Story
The government has accused the media of excessive and unbalanced coverage of the recent AWARE dispute. Christian fundamentalists – unhappy with the outcome their failed bid to commandeer the feminist association towards a more conservative agenda – have been instigating the authorities to take action against the press for an alleged pro-gay bias. Full Story
Working together, knowing that news gets old in a fast changing world, and despite competition from technology and competing new products, all in the SPH team continue with equal determination each day to see that we can read their newspapers with our breakfast. They face each day’s uncertainty not knowing whether their judgment will stand or fall in the eyes of their readers, newsmakers, board and the authorities. Yet all toil with a devotion to the service of their newspapers and a preparedness to stay and produce the daily newspaper each day, notwithstanding the gripes, grouses and brickbats they may have to face. Full Story
There will always be a role for traditional media to present trusted, unbiased and informed opinions even if some may feel that the information generated by traditional media is rather tame compared to what’s online, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in an interview with Channel News Asia. CNA itself is needed to provide an Asian perspective on the news, he said – "not to put over an ideology or a doctrine but just present the facts less the western spectacles". Full Story