Singapore passed a piece of legislation on Wednesday, which criminalises information deemed “prejudicial” to Singapore’s security, public safety, “public tranquility,” or to the “friendly relations of Singapore with other countries”.
There is concern that the broad parameters of this reform will lead to a more restricted press in the country.
The power to charge anyone for acting outside the bounds of this legislation lies with the government.
As mentioned in an earlier media release, the AJF believes democracy cannot work if freedom of the press is at the government’s discretion. It’s as simple as that.
Singapore sits at 151 of 180 countries on Reports Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index.
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