on Apr 25th, 2008Huh? Freedom of Speech in Singapore?
I was talking to Sabrina on the phone, just catching up and bitching -as usual-, when we started to talk about my blog post on banning ShadowFox.
I didn’t realise this before, Sabrina noted that some people might have been provoked by me mentioning that Singapore has no free speech. Some, silly people, might even feel that if I am against free speech that I should keep quiet and not voice my opinion.
I understand how the proposition “intolerant against intolerance” might sound ironic and funny, but being able to blog about my opinions does not mean that we have free speech.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Singapore is ranked 141 out of 169 countries in the freedom of press index. If you still don’t believe me, the Singapore opposition politically figures getting jailed and bankrupt should give you some hint. If you still don’t believe me, go blog racist and hate inciting blogs and see if you end up in jail like the 3 other foolish bloggers.
Now that we have established that Singapore does not have much freedom of speech, here’s why my post to call for Shadowfox’s head does not cross that line. My post simply called for a ban of a particular person, like how people can call for ban or unban of chewing gums, gay sex, pornography. It’s merely censorship. The religious people are usually pro censorship because the media’s censorship guideline has been slacking every year, and it reflects on how people’s morals have been more “tolerant” of sex, drugs, vulgarities and violence. I’m sure we don’t really want our children growing up accepting these vices as normal. Yes, perhaps showing too much homosexual themed media might brainwash the next generation that it is ok to be homosexual as well.
If there are still people out there, after reading this post, still think that Singapore has freedom of speech and if Singapore doesn’t that I should shut up, then I guess there’s no other way for me to enlighten you. -sigh-
