Singapore's Stand On Press Freedom

Singapore's Stand On Press Freedom




Who: Law Minister Mr. K Shanmugam 

When: October 2009 

Where: New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) 

What: Speech on Press Freedom 

Key Issues:

• Surveys that ranked Singapore low on press freedom 

• Do these surveys truly provide an objective assessment – Comparing Singapore to 3rd World countries with rampant crime 

• Pervasive feeling that the Singapore Government is out to silence the press  

• No / Limited Freedom of Speech 

Singapore Government’s Stand on Press Freedom:

• The press can criticise the government and government policies

• Government has no problem with tough debate and criticism of policies

• But the government demands the Right of Response

• To be published in the Journal that published the original article

• Government doesn’t accept if Publisher refuses to publish the Right of Response

• The debate must avoid untrue statements and scurrilous personal attacks

• Untrue statements will be draw a suit / Government will sue

• It is possible to be critical without allegations of corruption or personal attacks 

Difference between International Press Freedom & Singapore Press Freedom:

• True Editorial Independence – The Editor shouldn’t be forced to publish the Right of Response, they should have the ability to choose if they want to publish or not 

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