Press freedom in S'pore
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No lah, they just happen to be more influential. The SAF & SPF are in the hands of the right wingers whose sole aim in life is to put nails into the coffin of democracy.Originally posted by pkchukiss:In this aspect, the conservative segments of our society seems to be more vocal than the liberal ones — or is it just a matter of the press again? They seemed to love publishing letters from these people. I hardly see any letter addressing the liberal agenda in our local newspapers. -
haha!wonderfully put! i suppose u could be right in some sense.hmm...indeed...self checks and corrections are part and parcel of growing up and thats just what to allow maturing...yes i quite agree that "Leaders must have a clear mind to see the cause-effect relationship between 2-way communication and press control". However, like a double edged sword...theres both pros and cons to the extent of press freedom one gets here.Its just a matter of what we will sacrifices-big or small, for the freedom... hmm just my mental crap.owells ^^;Originally posted by robertteh:Self-checks and self-corrections will ensure there is no fear of instability. When less mature people have no causes for demonstrations or rallies, they will go home to watch TVs. Cap information for more years, problems locked up will grow larger. That is where the fear of spillover to street demonstration will arise. Leaders must have a clear mind to see the cause-effect relationship between 2-way communication and press control. PM Lee wants to build an all-inclusive society, he should understand this point and not hold back horse at mid-field.
By the way,i hope im not digressing but what i really do not agree with the government is the censorship they might/will put on for japanese mangas.According to news report,some mother decided to approach the media because her daughter is immature enough to seperate fantasy from reality and wrote in her diary that she wants to engage in the same sexual fantasy/act like the manga character.I also read that comics that has brutal scenes/violence etc will be banned?=/
thats pretty crappy to me,really.I've watched anime for like..8 to 10 years...all i learnt from it are pretty educational...every anime artist has hidden intention in their artwork..its just how u can decipher or perceive them is that not so?
If such "explicit violence/lemon scenes" manga is to be banned, i wonder, if the media should be banned too.After all, the internet is overwhelmed by such informations and since when can one flip through the newspaper without hearing news of many death,terrorist fear etc?
I may be wrong in interpreting the government's stand towards this issue because i only heard it from the news-perhaps inaccurately.I hope. -
How true. All they want is ban. nothing but ban. This one no good, ban. That one oso no good? Ban! That is really bad, also ban! Wah lan, like living in a straitsjacket or something!Originally posted by iveco:No lah, they just happen to be more influential. The SAF & SPF are in the hands of the right wingers whose sole aim in life is to put nails into the coffin of democracy. -
suntze,Originally posted by suntze:There is clearly a lot of dissatisfaction with the state of press freedom here although most ppl try not to think about it too much. The perception is that our press/media does not match our aspiration for first world status and our long term goal of making Spore a place to be proud of.
It would be an understatement to say that most forumers agree there is plenty of room for press reform. Hence, it may be useful to discuss what model should Spore adopt, should there be movement for press reform.
Many countries have adopted an independent Press Council model with a Press Ombudsman to self-regulate and deal with complaints. Would this system work for Spore, given our diverse and different ethnic, religious and social groups? Any views or suggestions?
I'm sure it would work, though perhaps one might wish to have a committee of ombudsmen to ensure that no social discrimination takes place with the dealing of complaints. But seriously, I don't find much ground for the case on diverse ethnicity and religion affecting the institution of an independent and responsible press. the key is to ensure that the press is responsible. And responsiblity has no relation whatsoever to whether or not a press is independent or not. After all, irresponsible government-controlled presses have also resulted in casualties of ethnicities and religion eg. the presses in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s or in Bosnia-Herzervsgonia in the 1990s. These were irresponsible becasue they did not bother about objectivity, the former about the Jews, the latter about Muslims.
ya, that's all. So I still think that the Independent Press COuncil would still work.
the pikamaster -
The problem with Singapore is that we are treading deeper into a pit where objectivism does not exist anymore and whatever counts , is made up of a few vested interests that unfortunately, is not very matured and open in thought.A simple issue like pornographic manga is small talk around the world, but only in this straitjacketed island, it can make such headlines.
What does this tell you about the silent majority?Puerile, thin-skinned, lacking in ability to think for themselves, and just merely making a decision without thinking of the consequences down the road.
We cannot to make the wrong choices here.Our society is on the verge of adulthood, and whatever we make of this place will determine the destiny.From what I've seen, we have a minority of people that is growing in strength.
These people are those that see beyond the shallow crap that is fed to us and they are able to look and think critically and not toe the official line for the sake of it.
Then there are the current majority who has not the inkling that the wool is still pulled over their eyes and they will support the government line faithfully because they are afraid to rock the boat.These are the unfortunate recipients of initial goodwill and economic success, and they feel that we should not change, because life is good enough.When society has reached a stage where there is a lack of drive to move up the ladder, stagnancy is like a quicksand.Where we will sink into obscurity and I for one would not want to see us slide into irrelevance.This is the same majority that worships pragmatism blindly and will welcome a casino in spite of the economic and social costs.
We need a paradigm shift, a more inclusive and less panicky society.We deserve to build a better nation for our children to grow up.They cannot grow up in a place where they are told what is allowed or banned just because they are Singaporeans.Our citizenship is supposed to be a symbol of pride, not a badge of shame where the very mention draws sympathy and derision because we are infamous for silly and juvenile policies that stay alongside equally successful and brilliant ones.
The nation needs to wake up.The train of progress waits for no one, and we cannot let a musty old conductor determine whether we can board the train.Our citizenship is our ticket to doing our part to build a society of one.A melting pot where race,religion, nor thought and affiliation is a barrier to success.
Let the mind breathe, for a suffocated brain will lead to a dying heart. -
Happen to read cnn's news on Princess Diana's case:Originally posted by Danacafe:haha!wonderfully put! i suppose u could be right in some sense.hmm...indeed...self checks and corrections are part and parcel of growing up and thats just what to allow maturing...yes i quite agree that "Leaders must have a clear mind to see the cause-effect relationship between 2-way communication and press control". However, like a double edged sword...theres both pros and cons to the extent of press freedom one gets here.Its just a matter of what we will sacrifices-big or small, for the freedom... hmm just my mental crap.owells ^^;
By the way,i hope im not digressing but what i really do not agree with the government is the censorship they might/will put on for japanese mangas.According to news report,some mother decided to approach the media because her daughter is immature enough to seperate fantasy from reality and wrote in her diary that she wants to engage in the same sexual fantasy/act like the manga character.I also read that comics that has brutal scenes/violence etc will be banned?=/
thats pretty crappy to me,really.I've watched anime for like..8 to 10 years...all i learnt from it are pretty educational...every anime artist has hidden intention in their artwork..its just how u can decipher or perceive them is that not so?
If such "explicit violence/lemon scenes" manga is to be banned, i wonder, if the media should be banned too.After all, the internet is overwhelmed by such informations and since when can one flip through the newspaper without hearing news of many death,terrorist fear etc?
I may be wrong in interpreting the government's stand towards this issue because i only heard it from the news-perhaps inaccurately.I hope.
LONDON (AP) -- The car in the crash that killed Princess Diana in Paris was a last-minute replacement either meant as a media diversion or because the vehicle she was supposed to take failed to start, according to British government documents released Tuesday.
The papers, released by the Cabinet Office under the Freedom of Information Act.
What is noteworthy about this case is that Royalty is not above the laws and release of findings is given in accordance with Freedom of Information Act. Singapore will need such an Act to assure citizens that information affecting any higher authority will not be hushed up or explained away. -
Hi pikamaster and robertteh,
Do you think the present gov or parliament wld want to "rock the boat" so to speak.
How do you see a Freedom of Information Act and an independent Press Council evolving from the present scenario?
IMO, it can only happen in the foreseeable future only if having these things contribute to the economy in some significant ways and not because it better educates and informs our citizens. I confess I'm not optimistic on it happening soon.
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"Rock the boat" ? Whose boat? The solution actually can be very simple. It is all in the mind. Perceive everything as problems there will be problems. Practise good corporate governance and many so-called problems will be solved or disappear.Originally posted by suntze:Hi pikamaster and robertteh,
Do you think the present gov or parliament wld want to "rock the boat" so to speak.
How do you see a Freedom of Information Act and an independent Press Council evolving from the present scenario?
IMO, it can only happen in the foreseeable future only if having these things contribute to the economy in some significant ways and not because it better educates and informs our citizens. I confess I'm not optimistic on it happening soon.
In introducing more policies or price increases : ask: hey this is pro-party, pro-surplus but is it good for majority of Singaporeans and businesses?
Is the cup Half-empty or half-full when it is filled half with water. By perceiving more problems, and threats, and giving legalistic and bureaucratic replies or look-good presentations will the problems be solved? More preemptive measures, more actions and people will have to bear with more control freaks with slightest jolts perceived as rocking of the boats.
Many years ago, the worries were "no surplus". When surpluses were accumulated to the extent of almost obsene, getting people to pay for lands and charging them again for flats built at market prices. People are struggling to live yet ministers will say GDPs show good figures and no worries with economy.The surpluses were meant for long-drawn raining days but not in recent heavy downpours. So how to believe in surpluses. Solution to "rock the boat" paranoid problems - be objective, and practise good accountable good corporate governance.
Government knows how to ask for more declarations of insider trading, more disclosures to businesses and public listed companies. It should ask itself to start some forms of good corporate governance for progress. How to let go and be less self-righteousness is a wonder. -
press freedom more like govt propaganda. news lock, 'internet' oso block... ... ...Originally posted by chikopek:The press freedom in Singapore should be one of the lowest in Asia only above PRC. Hong Kong have the most press freedom?
Why can't we improve our press freedom? However as for speech freedom I believes that it is improving in S'pore as many of us here critised the government here w/o ending up in trouble.
speech freedom??? ...critised govt here... ... here as in Singapore speak openly in street, to the press or sgforums here type openly
if in here as in the forums than it not speech liao leh. -
It is not good to have total freedom. Take for example, if we relax the control, many newspapers will appear and if competition arises, more important, but less interesting news will be neglected. Some form of control, like the putting in of ways to wear a face-mask is essential.
I am fine with the present level of press freedom. -
Speaker's Corner.
The fact that we need a speaker's corner is fact enough something is amiss.
The second fact that we need to moderate speeches show yet another defect.
Defect at birth of nation is cause of pains and blames.
This state of affairs is unhealthy.
The least to do is sometimes to be natural and see what happen.
Image all these problems, there will be only more problems.
I believe we need more liberalization and openness.
With liberalization and openness, people will stop shooting off their mouths. Try it. It will work. -
ENSHRINING BASIC RIGHTS OF CITIZENS IN CONSTITUTION..
Solutions to problems under consideration found within the following few sacred words:
(1) One Man One Vote,
(2) Protection of citizen against wrongful prosecution.
(3) Basic rights of citizens spelt out and enshrined in constitution.
(4) Rule of law, fairness and equity, non-interferences with election or constitutional rights of citizens.
(5) Investigation of constitutional infringements by independent sub-court open to observers from UN agencies.
(6) Independent Investigation of reported conflict of interests
(7) Non prosecution of political opponents. -
What do you think of Daily Mirror-style reporting whereby corporate fraud or government abuses are dug up almost single-handedly by an undercover reporter? I think we need such kinds of reporting in order to give people the true picture of the way the country is being run.Originally posted by SBS3624G:It is not good to have total freedom. Take for example, if we relax the control, many newspapers will appear and if competition arises, more important, but less interesting news will be neglected. Some form of control, like the putting in of ways to wear a face-mask is essential.
I am fine with the present level of press freedom.
An organisation that needs to have its secrets dug up through undercover reporting is the NKF. There are many skeletons in its closet.