For several years after the Tribune case, Singapore’s government brought no further cases against foreign news organizations. In the decade since the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act had gone into effect, the foreign press had learned to walk a fine line. Stories about Singapore were carefully considered prior to publication, according to Professor Plott. “You scrutinize the stories you do about politics in Singapore very carefully, not to distort what you are saying, but to close every avenue for legal action,” he says. “You are just simply much more careful about it because you realize they are likely to sue.” If an article upset local authorities, foreign publications were quick to remedy the situation by granting the Singapore government right of reply.

Listen to Plott on how the Western press covers Singapore.
Length: 1 min