Sometimes complaining actually works

Posted by admin on February 17th, 2005 filed in Uncategorized

Soon after Jamie Han complained about his letters not being published in the Straits Times, we see more of him in the ST Forum .

First, critique of ST’s government supported artificial monopoly:

Some would argue that the reading public here is too small to support more than one major newspaper. This may be true. But we must also take into account the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act, which gives the Government the authority to grant licences to publishing firms.

At present, the criteria for approval is not transparent. Applications can be rejected without the need to give explanations. The Government may also choose not to renew the licence the following year without any justification.

Any honest person would admit that the Act has a part to play in the dearth of newspapers in Singapore.

The Government justifies the Act on the grounds that it prevents people from using the press to raise sensitive racial and religious issues that may shatter the fragile unity of our society.

If we are to accept this justification, then we must also accept the two main implications that can be drawn from it.

First, that Singapore as a society has progressed so little since the chaotic days of the 1960s racial riots that we still need laws such as the above-mentioned one in order to maintain a veneer of unity.

Second, that our citizens are so immature and uncritical that they would readily lap up any racist or religious propaganda that surfaces should the Act be removed or revised.

If we are to accept these implications, then we have to acknowledge the immaturity of our society.

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