Saturday, August 26, 2006

Lee [Kuan Yew], having failed to stop the foreign media from "meddling in Singapore's domestic affairs," told me that instead of attempting to control editors and journalists, he would target the pockets of owners and publishers. "I will hit you where it hurts. Then we will see your commitment to a free press." Anyway, he enjoyed a confrontation with the media. "Don't forget, I can hurt you more than you can hurt me." A bill was then being prepared with the aim of giving the government powers to limit the sales of foreign publications in Singapore, thereby reducing their revenues from circulation and advertisements. That would bring direct and more effective pressure to bear on editors. Privately, I felt that foreign publications would hardly submit to such pressure, but I was wholly wrong and Lee was largely right. (The Singapore Puzzle, p. 78)

ah well, here's a toast to the bastion of freedom that is singapore!
god spoke 12:00 AM