Singapore: FEER convicted for defamation of Singapore's rulers

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Editor 'defamed' Singapore leader

"Singapore's High Court has ruled that the Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) magazine defamed Singapore's rulers."

"Singapore state media reported that Justice Woo Bih Li had reached
his conclusion of defamation by summary judgement, as requested by the
Lees.

In such a judgement, the court makes a ruling without the case
going to trial, as it agrees with the applicant that the defence
arguments are baseless, the Straits Times newspaper added."

Singapore: newspaper faces possible contempt charge for criticising judiciary

"In a separate case, Singapore's attorney general is seeking contempt
proceedings against the publisher and two editors of the Dow
Jones-owned Wall Street Journal's Asian edition for two editorials and
a letter that allegedly impugned the "impartiality, integrity and
independence of the Singapore judiciary," according to the Web site of
the attorney general's office. One of the editorials, "Democracy in
Singapore," published June 26, concerned comments made in the same
defamation hearing Nair attended.
"Open discussion of the issues
raised by this prominent defamation case is a part of a fair judicial
process, and should not lead to further punitive measures," said Bob
Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator. "Online commentators like Nair
should not have to serve time for criticizing the authorities, even in
harsh terms." "

http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/97154