NEGATIVE ARTICLES ABOUT SINGAPORE BY FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS

Mr Lau Ping Sum asked the Minister for Communications and Information if he is aware that the foreign press and weeklies, with significant circulations in Singapore, have been publishing negative articles about Singapore and distorting the truth about local issues and what he intends to do about this.

The Minister of State for Communications and Information (Mr Wong Kan Seng) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.

Sir, I am aware that a few foreign publications with large circulations in Singapore have been commenting frequently on local issues and distorting the truth.

There are more than 3,700 foreign newspapers and publications in circulation in Singapore. The overwhelming majority, when they report on Singapore, provide reports that are objective and balanced. They do not always share our points of view, nor do they appreciate all our problems. This is to be expected. We welcome such publications. They serve a useful purpose, providing us with different perspectives seen by people from different backgrounds and with different value systems. Such different points of view constitute fair comment. On the other hand, they do not engage in campaigns to influence Singaporean opinion.

However, there are a few publications, a small minority, that have sought to influence Singaporeans by colouring the truth to stir up feelings on local issues, even on sensitive local issues such as race and language, and seek to manipulate local opinion.

Under existing law, the Government can impose a ban on the entry or circulation of such publications but this is not necessary. A ban may be misrepresented by such publications as fear of exposing our people to their reporting.

Foreign newspapers and publications are owned and published by foreigners who have no interest in our welfare or long-term survival. They are ordinarily based overseas and are outside our legal jurisdiction. They have no responsibility or obligation to ensure our political stability or economic progress. When such publications consistently attempt to manipulate local opinion and interfere in our domestic politics for their own ends, including that of generating controversies to increase circulation of their publications, then we should take steps to prevent them from doing so at our expense.

We are amending the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act so that foreign publications can be declared a gazetted publication if they interfere in our domestic politics. Such publications would be allowed restricted sales but unrestricted circulation in Singapore so that Singaporeans can read for themselves what others say about us. It would also educate our population on the motives of others. But these publications shall not profit financially through big circulations in Singapore.

Mr Lau Ping Sum (Yio Chu Kang): Sir, would the proposed measure give rise to the impression that the Government is going to prevent the expression of alternative viewpoints?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the proposed measure is not intended to prevent the expression of alternative viewpoints. In our local papers and even in foreign publications, we do see alternative viewpoints. Debates are held freely, meetings can be called, press statements can be given by anybody. Foreign publications can continue to come into Singapore. There is no restriction on that.