Is Singapore ready for greater freedom of the press?

Should the Singapore government review the Newspapers and Printing Presses Act (NPPA)?
 
According to a panel invited for a discussion forum themed “Digital Citizens on Press Freedom” at Nanyang Technological University, the act should either be reviewed or even revoked altogether.
 
Introduced in 1974, the act regulates locally distributed newspapers and magazines by issuing permits.

It requires all shareholders in a newspaper company to be approved by the government, which also has a direct say in deciding who will be appointed chairman of the board.

According to MICA last year, the safeguards outlined in the NPPA “help to ensure that the media operating in Singapore play a responsible role and that publishers are accountable for the content they publish.”

Directly or indirectly, however, the act is also largely believed to have curtailed press freedom in Singapore through strict self-censorship amongst journalists and publications.

Giving an example, blogger Kirsten Han related her personal experience of how she was warned by her producers to steer clear of talking about the death penalty during an interview.

Han was part of six panelists at the two-hour closed-door event organised by local blogger group Online/Offline and MARUAH, a local human rights organization.

Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng, who is also the deputy chairman of the government parliamentary committee (GPC) for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts, MARUAH member Leon Perera, Temasek Review Emeritus editor Richard Wan, academic Cherian George and publichouse.sg editor Elaine Ee rounded off the panel.

‘Economically we are first world, but structurally we are third world’
 
According to TR Emeritus editor Richard Wan, editorial independence and press freedom in Singapore is frustratingly low.

Citing a Freedom of the Press 2012 report published in May, Singapore ranked a lowly 150th in a list of 197 countries.
 
The report, which ranks nations according to its state of democracy, political freedom and human rights, classified Singapore’s press freedom as “Not Free”.
 
“Economically we are first world, but structurally we are third world,” said Wa, who added local journalists are increasingly frustrated by press restrictions.

Tool for nation-building?

Public House editor Elaine Ee noted that the government’s concept of using the press as a tool for nation-building and social harmony is “flawed” as signs of social unrest is more prevalent than ever in today’s society.
 
“When you maintain harmony by telling, and to some extent, preaching, then you’re not addressing the people and the issues. Issues can only be resolved through communication,” she said.
 
Another highlight of the night was also the growing influence of digital and social media -- which former Nominated Member of Parliament Viswa Sadavisan called a “force to be reckoned with”.
 
Sadavisan, who also served as a moderator of the discussion, added that digital and social media is increasingly being seen as anti-government and anti-establishment.
 
“[Therefore], discussions and comments on digital platform must strive to stand up to expectations of responsibility, accountability, veracity, integrity and honesty,” he said.
 
Ultimately, the Singapore government can afford to “let more, trust more and take a chance”, said Sadavisan.

Watch the first part of the recorded dialogue here.