Sunday, February 17, 2008

Public Forum on Freedom of the Press in Singapore - Hotseating the Senior Editor of the Straits Times

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I am Patrick Daniel, senior editor of the Straits Times newspaper and I'm here today to share my views on media censorship in Singapore. I believe that all of you are aware that presently, our country practises media censorship. Everyone here may have differing views on the necessity of media censorship in Singapore today. However, all of us here at the Straits Times believe that it is absolutely essential, based on several reasons.

Firstly, media censorship is essential as it protects national security. It is of vital importance to hold on to information that would endanger national defense and not let such information be recklessly publicised to the general public. For example, after 9/11, the probability of similar terrorist attacks on Singapore is a powerful argument for restricting information that would assist such attacks, by identifying targets or revealing plans to combat them. The censorship of such national security information would definitely be in the Singapore’s interest as it would keep the country out of harm’s way, making the country a safer and more secure place to live in. The media can be considered as indirectly accountable for the lives of its citizens, and thus should be taking responsibility by restricting the publication of such information.

Secondly, media censorship is also necessary so as to protect public morals against defamation, obscenity and blasphemy. Adequate media censorship would ensure that the people in Singapore, especially the youth, would be less exposed to such profanity and indecency. In a TIME magazine poll conducted on 20th March 2005, 53% of respondents said that they think broadcast-channel shows depicting sex and violence should be more strictly controlled, 68% believe that the entertainment industry has lost touch with viewers' moral standards, and 50% believe that there is too much sexual content on television today. From this, we can see that people do feel that the media today is threatening public morals. Also, on December 10th 2003, Fox failed to censor the F-word and the S-word during the Billboard Music Awards. The shocking thing is that there were over 2 million 2-17 year olds watching the awards. This comprised more than 20% of total viewers for the awards. As such, it is evident that adequate media censorship would enable the youth in Singapore to be less exposed to such profanity and indecency.

Lastly, the press should not go against the national agenda, but instead work for the progress of our country. In order to do so, media censorship is required to ensure that the material published to the public is accurate and in the best interests of our country, working towards what Singapore hopes to achieve as a nation. After all, one of the purposes of the press is to act as a communication tool between our government and our people, and therefore it is important that the press goes side-by-side with our national agenda, to ensure the people get the right impression of our government’s objectives and operations.

From what I have mentioned so far about the importance of media censorship, it may seem that we are biased towards the government, or pro-PAP, but I hope to dispel this incorrect notion that some of you here might have towards us. It is important to note that although we are subordinate to the government, we are an independent newspaper. As such, encouraging media censorship is from a rational and fair perspective and is in no way due to the influence from the government.

I sincerely hope that after listening to what I have mentioned so far, all of you here would understand the importance and necessity of media censorship in our country, and that media censorship must continue to be advocated in order for Singapore to progress.

Done by: Joel, Brian, Serena & Chelsia (09S06J)

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