Criticisms & Commentary

Public policy, public opinion and the trust deficit

Cherian George

The government is convinced that making its presence felt in social media will reap dividends. On their own, though, such efforts will probably fail. Increased communicativeness will be more persuasive only if the context – the communication environment – changes. The element in the communication environment that is critically lacking, without which any additional communicativeness would be futile, is trust. That trust cannot grow if the media are forced to side with public policy against public opinion 100% of the time, if we lack independent institutions to scrutinise the work of the executive, and if the government continues to conflate party interests with national interests. Full Story

Seng Han Thong, alternative media and choosing sides

Cherian George

The Seng Han Thong controversy has produced a flash flood of protest in the midst of a climate already fouled by the SMRT debacle. Many readers disagreed with what I had to say. Some of that disagreement is fundamental, and in those cases I don’t expect any meeting of minds. For other readers, though, let me address three separate issues in what, I hope, is my final contribution to this particular debate. Full Story

We need anti-racism watchdogs, but they should protect their credibility

Cherian George

Opinion shapers should reserve their racism allegations for slam-dunk openings: where the perpetrator has no plausible defence. The Choo Wee Khiang incident in 1992 was one such case. Alternative online media, if they had existed then, would have kept the issue alive, making it far more difficult for the government to sweep it under the carpet. But they can only play their role effectively if they are seen as credible. Full Story

Official Views

PM Lee promises more open government but wants sincerity from opponents, too

Responding to Singaporeans' greater appetite for political engagement, Lee Hsien Loong has pledged that his government will be more open with information and allow more debate. However, the prime minister also appealed to the opposition and PAP backbenchers not to pander to populist sentiment. Those who want good government should not be afraid to speak up for unpopular positions that happen to be right, he said. Full Story

Feedback chief calls on Government to engage 'rational' websites

Cherian George

Amy Khor, chairman of REACH, has encouraged the Government to engage netizens on sites that "allow for reasoned and constructive debate and gain traction". "Netizens themselves who desire rational discourse should support such sites or else start them," she said. Khor's speech in Parliament also reflected the PAP's alarm at the appeal of less rational wesbites – an alarm that may result in new legislation. Full Story

PM's National Day Rally calls for more rational online spaces

Cherian George

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called for online spaces where Singaporeans and the government can engage in more balanced, open and rational debate on issues. He did not say how such spaces could form, or whether the government intended to create or facilitate such sites. The most effective solution would be bottom-up projects, created independently by established bloggers with street-cred. Could Singapore’s socio-political bloggers, for so long seen as a thorn in the government’s side, be the answer to the PM’s prayers? Full Story