Featured stories about Singapore
Stories about Singapore
19 September 2019
Yale-NUS college draws criticism in Singapore after canceling a class on ‘dialogue and dissent’
"If we cannot make space and listen to the person that says no, then democracy dies. It’s that fundamental."
9 September 2019
Singapore prime minister sues independent news website for defamation
The prime minister is suing The Online Citizen over an article that tackled the leader’s public feud with his siblings.
27 June 2019
What will it take to combat digital authoritarianism in Southeast Asia?
"Applied to the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia, digital authoritarianism refers to how the internet has been weaponized in aid of existing authoritarian regimes."
15 May 2019
Singapore parliament approves ‘anti-fake news’ law — will this curtail free speech?
The law gives broad, unchecked powers to government ministers to determine what online information is "false" and should thus be censored or corrected.
28 March 2019
Facebook comment about throwing an egg at Singapore minister triggers police probe
"To be honest, I don't feel much regret. I feel it's a matter of freedom of speech, and that we have a right to voice such opinions."
23 February 2019
Singaporean activist sentenced to 16 days in jail after hosting video chat with HK youth leader Joshua Wong
"There’s no sentence that I’d consider fair, because he should never have been charged."
11 December 2018
Singapore government threatens critics and independent media with defamation claims
"How can a prime minister be offended by someone sharing a Facebook post?"
18 April 2018
Will Singapore's plan to combat ‘deliberate online falsehoods’ stifle free speech?
"…the biggest threat to the stability and growth of the democratic process in Singapore is the government’s control of the media and information."
6 April 2018
Netizen Report: Malaysia Outlaws ‘Fake News’ — Will Singapore Be Next?
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Singapore's Economic Success ‘Comes at the Sacrifice of Humans Rights,’ Says Activist Han Hui Hui
"I hope that countries around the world don’t follow the Singapore model...Advocate and have your independent labor unions and student unions because we don’t have that in Singapore."
9 January 2018
Singapore Authorities Ban Documentary on Palestinian Teen Activists for ‘Skewed Narrative’
"...did you even consider that this documentary...exists to provide a balance, a corrective to the kinds of propaganda that Israel state television and the US-centric media produce..."
12 December 2017
‘Recalcitrant’ Activist Charged by Singapore Police for Organizing ‘Illegal Assemblies’
"We do not understand why the State is pursuing the seven charges against Jolovan Wham for events which were all peaceful and non-violent."
5 October 2017
Is Free Speech an ‘Empty Promise’ in Singapore? Activists Bristle After Police Detain Performance Artist
Under Singapore’s strict Public Order Act, a single person can be held liable for participating in an illegal assembly.
12 September 2017
Singaporeans Face Police Investigation After Holding Candlelight Vigil for Executed Migrant Worker
When a nonviolent vigil for a man about to be hanged is deemed 'illegal assembly' worthy of a police investigation, it's time to rethink public order and freedom of assembly.
1 September 2017
#GoHazeFree Campaign Encourages Singapore Restaurants to Use Sustainable Palm Oil
"Palm oil producers will be more motivated if more people demand haze-free palm oil."
15 June 2017
Singapore Ad Watchdog Advises LGBT Event to Remove ‘Supporting Freedom to Love’ Tagline
"We cannot see how a tagline calling for inclusion and love can be seen as undermining the concept of family or disrespecting the individual," wrote the Pink Dot organizers.
8 June 2017
At Annual LGBT Event, Singapore Kicks Out Foreigners and Puts Up Barricade
"These new laws are actually keeping families apart: Singaporeans with non-resident spouses or relatives will not be able to attend Pink Dot together.”
7 April 2017
Southeast Asian Leaders Use ‘Fake News’ to Justify Tighter Media Laws and Intimidate Their Critics
Singapore plans to update its Broadcasting Act, Philippine House Speaker is proposing to regulate social media, and Cambodian officials are mimicking Donald Trump by calling unfavorable news "fake".
26 March 2017
Art in Transit: Meet the Commute Sketchers of Singapore
"With dwindling interests in traditional art, the public commute presents a unique, safe and condensed setting to practice what I love."
15 March 2017
Disney’s New ‘Gay Moment’ Outrages Religious Conservatives in Malaysia and Singapore
Religious groups and state censors in Singapore and Malaysia are unhappy about the live-action remake of Disney's “Beauty and the Beast,” because of a “gay moment” in the film.
