Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Defamation and fear

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Defamation and fear

Singaporeans are so afraid to express any opinion, as they fear that any negative opinion about any person or organisation can be considered as defamtory. What a shameful state of affairs. How has the country got into this state?

Tan Kin Lian

13 comments:

Anonymous said...: Money = Power = Human Rights =Free Expression.

If you have neither and get sued, you will be wiped out. Cannot blamed the general Singaporean's mentality. How many Singaporean can afford it? Not many are in a fortunate situation like you, sir.

Just like if you have money, you can practice you "HUMAN RIGHTS" in restuarant, schools, cinema, parking lots, etc.; April 13, 2010 9:41 AM
Anonymous said...: Sadly, what happens in Malaysia will make it worse for us. Badawi's more open policy has resulted in a lot of contentions, especially against the ruling party. PAS has it's Harakah daily as well as the online version. Anwar's PKR has its Suara Keadilian ( The Voice of Justice ) as well as his personal blog.
Then there is also Malaysiakini ( Malaysia Today).

Can Singapore govt. allow the same? If it can, then perhaps more people would be encouraged to speak against unfair practices of any organisation.

Would anyone risk everything against any mighty corporation, when the precedence has been set?

Thus the best one can do is to vote with the feet.; April 13, 2010 9:43 AM
Anonymous said...: There is only one cause. The number of successful defamation suits by govt officials against hapless political opponents (viz individuals and media companies). It has come to the stage where anything you say, write or even think can be construed as defamatory. Like in Malaysia, where you don't question the Malay rights. Like in Thailand, where you don't question the King. So in S'pore, you don't question the govt.

Examples of possible defamatory remarks:-

1. Asking a simple question eg Why is Mr A being paid $ B as salary? This question implies that Mr A is useless and is being overpaid. Can be considered libellous.

2. Making a fair comment eg Mr C is now driving a $500k new car. Such a statement may imply that Mr C may have got got his huge wealth by illegal means.

3. Making a statement of fact eg Mr D (who has just got a super job) is the younger brother of a high-ranking officer Mr E. While it is a point of fact, the local courts may interpret it as an innuendo which implies that there may be some impropriety in Mr D being awarded the job.

There are many other examples, but the above illustrates the point. This has created a climate of fear among the critical and controversial political opponents who want to question the govt with the genuine intention of improving the country.

The only way for their views to be heard is thru parliament. All other avenues (eg REACH, the press, blogs, political websites etc) are not effective enough. So they lie low and only appear during election time and try their luck, eventhough they may not have concrete plans for the country. I make no apologies and confess that I would consider voting for such people.; April 13, 2010 10:25 AM
Anonymous said...: Mr. Tan

I strongly agree with you on this observation but it can't be changed easily here, I am afraid. After people are so used to be told what to do and follow for so many years, there isn't any initiative to speak of, in the mindset. Most often, many educated lots can't tell wrong from right. It is very sad indeed. If they can't tell what is wrong or right, how can they express an opinion?

Loh; April 13, 2010 10:41 AM
Anonymous said...: Perhaps defamation and negative opinion are just a fine line apart? In the first place, opinion is already subjective and not objective.; April 13, 2010 11:46 AM
Parka said...: How?

Well, slowly and steadily without people even realising it.

It's called the Mere Exposure Effect in psychology. In this case, it reinforces what people would seek to avoid doing.; April 13, 2010 12:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Just look at the state of our opposition, the election contests and the outcome all these years. Countries that have elections, few, if any, are like us in these aspects.

I think these are largely a manifestation of fear and also spreads to social and economic endeavours like risk taking, creativity, behaviour, culture etc. It is also a fear that is uniquely Singapore.

Ultimately it may not do the country any good, now and in future.; April 13, 2010 1:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Do you dare to ask: where is the money?; April 13, 2010 1:41 PM
Anonymous said...: It got into this state because there are many examples for all to see.; April 13, 2010 3:46 PM
Parka said...: To Anonymous April 13, 2010 1:41 PM

"Do you dare to ask: where is the money?"

They won't even answer a simple question of how much a HDB cost to build. That's even after building so many.; April 13, 2010 7:21 PM
Anonymous said...: To Anonymous April 13, 2010 1:41 PM

CSJ is not alone. Even President Ong got kicked out when he asked!; April 13, 2010 8:44 PM
Anonymous said...: The irony is Tan Tan recently talked about having liberal arts degree in NUS!!!

PAP prosecutes people who are liberal in their action, yet they want us to be liberal???; April 14, 2010 11:14 PM
Anonymous said...: I totally agree with the first comments..... Most people in singapore are just trying to make ends meet so why will they even bother to voice out anything when they themselves already cannot cope with their own lives?

Not many people have the privilege like Mr Tan who have strong back up like lawyers to stand by him. Just got sued and that's it!; April 15, 2010 1:51 AM