I REFER to rankings mentioned in recent reports which placed Singapore among the lowest in press freedom.

It is heartening to learn that Law Minister K. Shanmugam clarified Singapore's stance on political and press freedom, and democracy to 200 lawyers at the New York State Bar Association International Section meeting here last week.

He asked if a truly objective assessment would give Singapore such a ranking, as that given by institutions like Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House.

He took the view that the press should be a neutral medium for the transmission of views from all sides.

People tend to associate democracy with freedom of speech and unrestrained forms of physical expression.

However, many people tend to forget the thin line between moral and legal responsibilities and freedom of speech.

If you say something which is not factual or without appropriate justification and substantiation, you could end up in legal trouble, especially when it is entangled with defamatory issues.

Nevertheless, each city or country has its own model of democracy and freedom to suit its political and economic environment.

Hence, it is absolutely not right for another country or a foreign organisation to make unsubstantiated criticisms of our country.

Mr Teo Kueh Liang

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