[Linganth] Re: How the Secret Service protects Bush from free speech

[P. Kerim Friedman]

Thanks for your comments, clarifying the history of free speech zones.  
I am not an expert on Singapore, and have only been there once, but I  
have read accounts which suggest that the freedom you describe has not  
always been the case. For instance, there is this article from Amnesty  
International:

<http://web.amnesty.org/library/print/ENGASA360011999>

Which states:

'"Chee Soon Juan's case shows once again how an array of laws continues  
to undermine Singaporeans' right to freedom of expression," said  
Amnesty International today.

"It represents far more than a dispute over the procedural requirements  
of a public entertainment ordinance. This case marks a rare public  
protest at the restrictive laws which deter people from expressing  
dissenting political views in Singapore, and engender a pervasive  
climate of self-censorship."'

And this one by Christopher Lingle:

<http://www.sfdonline.org/Link%20Pages/Link%20Folders/ 
Political%20Freedom/lingle.html>

Which says, among other things:

"Mr Harry Lee's claim that people in Singapore do not engage in  
politicking is correct. However, they remain uninvolved because little  
is gained and much can be lost as it is so dangerous for those who  
would oppose the PAP regime. Opposition politicians are routinely  
hauled into court where they face libel writs. At least 12 major  
opposition figures have been sued by government officials, many of whom  
were bankrupted by the proceedings.

Little critical commentary is passed in the media on these  
unprecedented actions taken by the PAP against their rivals. The  
domestic media is under the regime's total control. With Singapore's  
draconic application of libel laws, publishers, printers, and  
distributors are potentially liable for every word in every publication  
they handle. Meanwhile, the international press refrains from  
commenting on Singapore's domestic affairs after facing costly lawsuits  
and damaging restrictions on circulation of their publication.

Consequently, media self-censorship about Singapore's affairs is  
unmistakable."

While Singapore is certainly not Taiwan during the White Terror, it  
does seem to have a history of less than complete freedom for the  
expression of dissenting views.

- kerim

On Jan 8, 2004, at 12:53 PM, Wai Fong wrote:

> On another point, contrary to what was suggested in the email, people  
> in Singapore do not get arrested for “expressing any dissent  
> whatsoever,” be it now or before.  Singaporeans are free to disagree  
> with any point of view at least from a legal standpoint. But like in  
> any country, those who can not back their arguments with appropriate  
> facts or who make defamatory remarks will face possible rebuttals.  
> Arguments that involve political parties would understandably attain  
> higher media profile (including being reported in international  
> media). Many of these cases were eventually brought to court. I would  
> like to stress that the verdicts in these court cases were not  
> necessarily favorable to the dominant party. There has been a judicial  
> system in place in Singapore since its independence in 1965, and its  
> fairness and independence is no lesser than that in other modern  
> societies.
>  
> I am aware that Singapore is being represented in popular media and  
> some academic circles as more oppressive than other modern societies.  
> As a Singaporean studying in the U.S., I have, in my own work, made  
> criticisms of certain social engineering practices during Singapore’s  
> nation-building process. However, I cannot agree with a representation  
> of Singaporeans as a powerless people living under a tyrant government  
> that dictates what can and cannot be said.
>  
> As far as public opinions are concerned, they are taken seriously by  
> the general public, maybe more so than in many other countries, and  
> especially so by the leaders (political or not). Topics about race and  
> religion are very sensitive due to historical, geographical, political  
> and social factors. What are seen as political jokes and comedic  
> performances in other countries may provoke strong reactions if  
> similar comments are made in Singapore.