Hidden Nook
"Because in Cyberspace, no one can hear you scream."
Monday, September 12, 2005
Singapore Brings Charges Against Bloggers
[Media Source*] (Hat Tip: The Blog Herald)
(Yahoo-Reuters) The two ethnic Chinese men, aged 25 and 27, face charges for promoting ill-will and hostility between ethnic communities on their personal websites, or "blogs," in June.
The police said both men were accused of posting racist remarks aimed at Singapore's mostly-Muslim ethnic Malay community. If convicted, they may be jailed for up to three years or fined up to S$5,000, or both.
Unfortunately it seems that Singapore is one of the few "net free nanny states" whose sole purpose is to ensure that the harmony between it's citizens is not threatened, even at the expense of freedom of speech. Although it is unclear what these men exactly said on their blogs, this sad affair should go as a warning to all those traveling towards Singapore, whose "thought police" reach seems to have no limits.
(Yahoo-Reuters) Singapore police have wide powers to intercept online messages, and Internet service providers are required to block websites containing material that may be a threat to public security, national defense, racial and religious harmony and public morality. Political and religious websites must also be registered with the authorities.
Any government defending measures as extreme as these clearly has only the best interests of it's citizens in mind. Although Singapore is attempting to preserve a harmonious society, it's big brother attitude is suppressing freedom of thought, limiting not only what people can say but also minor items like what people can chew (i.e. bubble gum).
This nation is probably a socialist's paradise, although one wonders how long it's citizens (especially bloggers) can endure being micro managed on what is considered "fair speech."
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