Re: RE: [do-asia] FW: YD Protests Internet Ban

[Bala Pillai <bala@apic.net>]

At 09:38 AM 7/30/01 +0800, Xiao Jinhong wrote:
> >From my 26-year perspective in Singapore as a Singaporean, my reaction 
> is that
>the reaction below is an incredible understatement that demonstrates a 
>failure
>to appreciate the nuances of Singapore politics. Yes, statements of origin 
>and
>funding may be standard fare in US politics. But US defamation law is far
>different from Singapore defamation law. A defamation suit brought by a
>politician in the US requires proof of actual malice actuating the defamatory
>statements to succeed. There is no such requirement in Singapore, where the
>burden of proof is almost always on the defendant to prove a defence 
>(which, to
>be fair, is inherited from England).
>
>The chilling effect should not be understated.

Exactly.  And the not uncommon perception (whether the perception is 
correct or wrong is irrelevant) of the wide and vague application of libel 
laws -- case in point is the finding of guilt against an American 
university lecturer for an article in the International Herald Tribune even 
though he did not mention any names.  And ditto with the not uncommon 
perceptions of "selective prosecution" and huge payouts.

And the absence of a clear definition of what "political" is.

The online world was a glimmering of hope for free speech and mental 
creativity (not an accident that <http://www.talkingcock.com> is located 
offshore) in Singapore. And which freed memespace and mindset, some were 
hoping would osmosise into the offline world to ignite creativity in 
Singapore. Alas, it was a short spell.

cheers../bala
bala@apic.net

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