TODAY
18th Nov 2004
Local press plays different role, says Minister Lee
SINGAPORE may rank low in press freedom, but this is because the
rankings favour the advocacy and adversarial role of the
press.
.
According to Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information,
Communications and the Arts, the Press Freedom Index drawn up by
Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) is largely based on this model
which Singapore does not adopt.
.
He was responding in writing to Non-Constituency MP Steve Chia, who
had asked what efforts would be taken to give the press more
freedom.
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The latest rankings, released on Oct 26, placed Singapore 147th out
of 167 countries while countries such as Switzerland and Norway
emerged tops in respecting press freedom.
.
Said Dr Lee: "Our model is that of a free and responsible press
whose role is to report news accurately and objectively to
Singaporeans. The Singapore media also serves as a platform for
diverse views to be expressed and to reflect the debate on national
issues."
.
This model evolved out of "special circumstances" as the media have
to be sensitive to national interests such as racial and religious
harmony and to promote "our shared values as a society", he
added.
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He told Mr Chia that RSF's ranking would not affect Singapore's
reputation and development as a cosmopolitan city, citing two
surveys that reflected a high international regard for the
Republic.
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A recent city governance survey by Jones Lang LaSalle of 33 major
cities placed Singapore tops based on integrity, autonomy,
stability, efficiency and effectiveness.
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Singapore was also ranked the second most global country according
to the 2004 A.T. Kearney's Globalisation Index which ranks
countries on economic integration, technological connectivity,
personal contact and political engagement.
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Dr Lee stressed that the priority must be the "prosperity and
progress" of Singapore. "Our media has a tremendously important
role in this national effort by rallying Singaporeans to do the
things which matter most to Singapore. This is certainly more
important than for them to adopt practices which are not relevant
to us just to gain the favours of international ranking
associations," he said. Derrick A Paulo
(edited)
