But official punishment of two respected international publications in recent months bears on Singapore's standing and reputation worldwide. It raises fears that a government which takes blatant punitive action against some pu a- tions may later act similarly against all publications. The chilling effect on the media is already apparent-and may well spur doubts on the part of those abroad doing business or contemplating investments in Singapore.
At a meeting with Singapore's Information Minister this delegation, on behalf of journalists everywhere, urged the government of Singapore to retract its current restrictions on circulation and provide that unfettered freedom of expression and distribution to which its people-like those every- where are entitled.
Regrettably, we were given no encouragement on these fundamental points.
In our view, the government of Singapore is in violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Decem- ber 10, 1948. Article 19 states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes free- dom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, re- ceive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
To redress this violation of human rights, we are left with no recourse but to appeal to public opinion throughout the free world through the United Nations and other appropriate forums.
Leonard H. Marks, Chairman George Chaplin Cushrow R. Irani McGregor of Durris
THE HONGKONG STANDARD, Wednesday, June 17, 1987
World body urges Governor to repeal press law
By Chalina Chung
A DELEGATION from the World Press Freedom Committee yesterday urged the Governor, Sir David Wilson, to repeal the Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance.
The delegation condemned the legislation as an erosion of press freedom and warned it had far-reaching consequences, not only for Hongkong but also other countries.
The committee is an international press group, which aims to unify the world news media against threats to news free- dom. It now has members from 32 journalistic organisations throughout the world.
The chairman of the delegation, Mr. Leonard Marks, said the committee was very concerned about the legislation and hoped it would be repealed by the Hongkong government.
After meeting separately Sir David, and the Attorney Gen- eral, Mr. Michael Thomas, with the Secretary for Adminis- trative and Information Services, Mr. Peter Tsao, Mr. Marks said he was pleased the Government had listened to the concerns expressed by the Hongkong press about the legisla- tion.
Mr. Tsao later said officials had explained to the delegation the need to retain Section 27 of the ordinance, which says any person publishing false news likely to cause alarm to the public shall be guilty of an offence.
He said the delegation had been told the effect of the legis- lation would be closely monitored.
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