why i don't read the ST

a double shot. now this is why i don't like to read ST. It reeks of the control by PAP over our media

Nov 18, 2004
No independent media? S'pore model is different
By Asad Latif

SINGAPORE'S reputation as a global city will not be affected by international media organisation Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) ranking the Republic as the lowest developed country in terms of press freedom.

Making this point in a written reply to Non-Constituency MP Steve Chia, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lee Boon Yang said two recent surveys had underscored Singapore's standing as a progressive and successful country.

Singapore was ranked the second most global country in the 2004 A.T. Kearney Globalisation Index, which ranks countries on economic integration, technological connectivity, personal contact and political engagement.

Ireland was placed first in the survey by the global management consulting firm.

Singapore also emerged as the best governed city in another survey of 33 major cities, by Jones Lang LaSalle, based on aspects of governance such as integrity, stability and efficiency, he added.

'These two surveys reflect high international regard for Singapore as a cosmopolitan city on the global stage,' Dr Lee said.

Singapore is also one of the most connected countries in the region, with more than 1.7 million Singaporeans having access to the Internet, he noted.

By contrast, the Press Freedom Index drawn up by RSF, which has its international secretariat in Paris, France, places Singapore 147th in a survey in which North Korea came in last at 167th. Denmark was first.

The RSF 2004 annual report said there are no independent media in Singapore, but that Singaporeans have wide access to foreign media.

On the RSF index, Dr Lee said it was based largely on a different media model 'which favours the advocacy and adversarial role of the press'.

Singapore's media model was different, he said.

'Our model is that of a free and responsible press whose role is to report news accurately and objectively to Singaporeans.'

The media here also served as a platform for diverse views and to reflect the debate on national issues. At the same time, it has to be sensitive to national interests, such as protecting racial and religious harmony and the shared values of society.

The model had evolved out of Singapore's special circumstances, he said. It had enabled the media here to strengthen the resilience of Singaporeans in the face of intense economic competition, terrorism threats, infectious diseases and social ills.

'We will continue to encourage diversity of views and ideas from Singaporeans, while at the same time, engage our people to work together to safeguard our social norms and values,' he said.

'Our media has a tremendously important role in this national effort by rallying Singaporeans to do the things which matter most to Singapore. This is certainly more important than... to gain the favours of international ranking associations.'