Writer’s Arrest in Singapore a Troubling Sign of Cross-Border Censorship
Washington
Singapore’s use of criminal defamation to censor criticism of the government, most recently in the case of the British author Alan Shadrake, reflects a continued disregard for the basic rights of freedom of expression and intellectual inquiry, Freedom House said today.
Shadrake, in Singapore to promote his new book, “Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock,” was arrested on July 18 on criminal defamation charges related to his characterization of the country’s justice system. The charges resulted from a complaint by the government’s Media Development Authority. According to media reports, Shadrake has been released on bail but his passport has been impounded to prevent him leaving the country before his July 31 trial date. In the book, Shadrake examines the use of the death penalty in Singapore, including interviews with human rights activists and the former chief executioner.
“There are a growing number of authoritarian regimes like China and Singapore that, in an effort to silence critics, have successfully extended censorship activities beyond their borders,” said Freedom House’s Freedom of Expression Officer Courtney C. Radsch. “With freedom of expression in decline throughout the world, it is essential that democracies denounce these efforts and urge these regimes to allow citizens the right to express themselves freely.”
Singapore is known for its restrictive media environment. Authorities have historically used a number of tactics to control content critical of the government including restrictive legislation, criminal defamation and a near monopolistic control of media outlets. Foreign media are prohibited from reporting on controversial local issues and often have had to agree to censor content deemed defamatory by the government or risk losing permission to circulate in the country. In recent years, international outlets including the International Herald Tribune, Far Eastern Economic Review, and Time Magazine have run into trouble with Singapore authorities, with some paying fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars to settle defamation suits.
“The Singaporean government’s attempts to censor and control the content of both local and international news outlets is at odds with the country’s traditionally open economic and business environment,” noted Karin Karlekar, senior researcher and managing editor of Freedom of the Press. “Freedom House strongly urges authorities in Singapore to drop the charges against Mr. Shadrake and return his passport immediately so that he may return home.”
The government has denied that the book has been banned in Singapore, but media outlets are reporting that the book is not available in book stores and online.
Singapore is ranked Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2010, Freedom House's survey of political rights and civil liberties, and Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2010.
For more information on Singapore, visit:
Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.
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