(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: New Law is Censorship Threat to Foreign Broadcasting in Singapore The latest attempt by the Singapore government to limit critical debate takes the form of legislation, to be passed today, permitting the authorities to declare that any foreign broadcasting service is “engaging in the […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:
New Law is Censorship Threat to Foreign Broadcasting in Singapore
The latest attempt by the Singapore government to limit critical debate takes the form of legislation, to be passed today, permitting the authorities to declare that any foreign broadcasting service is “engaging in the domestic politics of Singapore”, and therefore requires prior approval from a Minister for domestic transmission. The new regulations allow arbitrary suspension and banning of local retransmission of foreign broadcasts (1).
Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19 said today:
“We condemn the granting of these broad new censorship powers to the Minister as completely contrary to international law and as further evidence that the Singapore government wishes to stifle informed debate. We call on the government to undertake a programme of reform to guarantee the right to free expression and access to information.”
Huge fines in defamation cases brought by ruling party politicians (2), lack of freedom of information legislation and use of the Internal Security Act make informed public debate on political issues very difficult in Singapore.
The net appears to be tightening in what is widely expected to be an election year. Civil society suffered recently, with harassment of two organisations campaigning for changes in the law (3), and commitment to liberalisation of broadcasting has not yielded change yet (4).
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. The new legislation is an amendment to Section 42 of the 1994 Broadcasting Authority Act, which does not define what “engaging in domestic politics” involves. Fines of up to Singapore $100,000 (=US$55,000) may be levied on those found guilty of convening the new regulations.
2. Politician JB Jeyaretnam, leader of the opposition Workers’ Party and one of only three opposition MPs in the Singapore Parliament, has been declared bankrupt as a result of fines in defamation proceedings brought by the President. If his final appeal fails, he will not be able to participate in political life any more.
3. The Think Centre and Open Singapore Centre have both been designated as political associations from 1 April 2001. Both promote transparency, accountability and democracy.
4. Singapore Press Holdings’ media division was expecting a May launch, but has not yet received a broadcasting licence.
