<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Press freedom: Ranking criteria perplexing
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Wednesday's report, 'Repressive? Our people know better'.
I am more perplexed than amazed by Singapore's low ranking in press freedom in surveys conducted by institutions like Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House.
What irks me most is the fact that Singapore is ranked below some countries where people are oppressed and live under tyranny. Just because newspapers are sued for their persistently false and scurrilous reports, our rating in press freedom is adversely affected. If this is the case, such findings leave much to be desired.
Newspapers cannot and will not attract readership in a situation where they do not have a free hand in reporting news without fear or favour. In some countries (namely?) where newspapers are government-owned, people turn to the Internet for alternative information.
They dare not write to the press, even when they encounter unfair treatment from government agencies, because they know their letters will not see the light of day. Worse, they may be subjected to reprisals.
Here newspapers have no qualms about publishing letters or reports on government policies which are considered unfavourable or unfair. Corporate communications departments in ministries invariably pay heed to such feedback and take appropriate action.
Singaporeans have given their thumbs-up for our newspapers' responsible and objective news coverage. Their increase in circulation and readership is attributed to readers' trust and loyalty.
This should be an accurate assessment of press freedom.
Jeffrey Law
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Wednesday's report, 'Repressive? Our people know better'.
I am more perplexed than amazed by Singapore's low ranking in press freedom in surveys conducted by institutions like Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House.
What irks me most is the fact that Singapore is ranked below some countries where people are oppressed and live under tyranny. Just because newspapers are sued for their persistently false and scurrilous reports, our rating in press freedom is adversely affected. If this is the case, such findings leave much to be desired.
Newspapers cannot and will not attract readership in a situation where they do not have a free hand in reporting news without fear or favour. In some countries (namely?) where newspapers are government-owned, people turn to the Internet for alternative information.
They dare not write to the press, even when they encounter unfair treatment from government agencies, because they know their letters will not see the light of day. Worse, they may be subjected to reprisals.
Here newspapers have no qualms about publishing letters or reports on government policies which are considered unfavourable or unfair. Corporate communications departments in ministries invariably pay heed to such feedback and take appropriate action.
Singaporeans have given their thumbs-up for our newspapers' responsible and objective news coverage. Their increase in circulation and readership is attributed to readers' trust and loyalty.
This should be an accurate assessment of press freedom.
Jeffrey Law
