British journalist accused of contempt of court, released on bail
The complaint brought against Alan Shadrake consists of a series of biased and malicious allegations, according to RSF.
British author arrested, charged with defamation over book on death penalty
Alan Shadrake, who was in the city state to promote his book, “Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock”, was arrested and is facing charges of contempt of court.
Government bans yet another film by director Martyn See
See’s video about the detention of Dr. Lim Hock Siew was deemed “contrary to public interest”.
Libel actions against media must stop, says RSF
In an open letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, RSF expresses concern over the judicial harassment of foreign news media.
Government refuses to renew foreign journalist’s visa
While in Singapore, British journalist Benjamin Bland maintained a blog featuring occasional critical commentary on the country, including an entry on official secrecy over death penalty statistics.
Magazine to pay prime minister and his father S$405,000 in damages and cost for defamation
The High Court had earlier ruled that the “Far Eastern Economic Review” had defamed both leaders in a 2006 article.
Appeals court upholds ruling against magazine, editor
The “Far Eastern Economic Review” magazine and its editor, Hugo Restall, were found guilty of defaming Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
“Wall Street Journal” editor Melanie Kirkpatrick faces “contempt of court” charges following publication of articles about judiciary
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders deplores high court judge Tay Yong Kwang’s decision to give the attorney-general a green light to start contempt of court proceedings against Melanie Kirkpatrick, the deputy editor of the “Wall Street Journal”‘s editorial page, in connection with two editorials and an op-ed piece about the Singaporean judiciary published in the […]
World Report 2009: Singapore
World Report 2009: Singapore
“Wall Street Journal Asia” found in contempt of court and fined
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders condemns a Singapore high court ruling on 25 November 2008 finding the Hong Kong-based “Wall Street Journal Asia” in contempt of court and fining it 25,000 Singapore dollars (approx.12,700 euros) for publishing two editorials and a letter by an opposition leader questioning the country’s judicial system. The newspaper is owned […]
Court fines opposition party for defaming prime minister and his father; leaders should end the practice of using defamation suits to silence critics, says Human Rights Watch
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a 17 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release: Singapore: End Efforts to Silence Opposition Defamation Suits Put Party at Risk of Bankruptcy (New York, October 17, 2008) – Singapore’s leaders should end the practice of using defamation suits to stifle political opposition, Human Rights Watch said today. “Using defamation […]
Court finds magazine, editor guilty of defaming prime minister and his father
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Singapore’s High Court has found the “Far Eastern Economic Review” (FEER) and its editor, Hugo Restall, guilty of defaming Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong and his father, Lee Kuan Yew, media reports said. According to BBC online, Justice Woo Bih Li had reached his conclusion of defamation by summary judgement, as requested by […]
Blogger sentenced to three months in jail; newspaper faces possible contempt charge for criticising judiciary
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 19 September 2008 CPJ press release: Critics of Singapore’s judiciary face reprisal New York, September 19, 2008 – A court in Singapore sentenced a blogger to three months in jail on Thursday, one week after the nation’s attorney general sought contempt proceedings against The Wall Street Journal Asia. Both […]
Government pledges to ease restrictions on films, public demonstrations
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Singaporeans are abuzz yet cautious about government pledges to ease restrictions on free speech and public assembly in the city state. Writers, filmmakers, activists, and politicians are either expressing optimism or warning against too much of it, after the country’s prime minister promised to allow more issues to be ventilated in the notoriously […]
CAPSULE REPORT: International Bar Association gives Singapore dismal grade in free expression, human rights, independence of courts
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is an 11 July 2008 SEAPA statement: International Bar Association gives Singapore dismal grade in free expression, human rights, independence of courts The International Bar Association’s (IBA) Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) on 8 July 2008 released a study assailing the Singaporean government on its human rights standards and records and underscoring […]
Blogger now charged with “sedition”; judge hearing the case is in conflict of interest
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has repeated a call for charges to be dropped against US lawyer, Gopalan Nair, who appeared before a court in Singapore on 12 June 2008 and again on 16 June, after he was accused by judges Belinda Ang Saw Ean and Lai Siew Chiu of “insulting a public servant”, for […]