Taking a Stand
Latest developments are well covered in From a Singapore Angle, Singapore Ink Tomorrow.sg, Singabloodypore, and other sites, reproducing AcidFlask's reply to A*Star.
It is, by far, the most revealing and insightful content to the entire debacle so far. One wonders why Mr Yeo, who seems to have plenty of time and resources to spend on engaging lawyers to handle every single minute potential legalities with regards to his esteemed name, has not found the time and resources to produce a proper, detailed and concise statement. (I suppose its in drafting now, right, I hope???) AcidFlask also mentions that Mr Yeo has not pointed out exactly what material was defamatory. May I suggest the generalisation is perhaps due to inability to pick out specific red-letter material? That it was just used as a general measure to oppress someone? Of course, it may just be that Mr Yeo, busy man that he is, has not enough time to do specifically pick out the nitty gritty (P.S This is a Fair Comment and should not be construed otherwise).
From the latest developments, it is becoming more evident that it is not too far off from the purely speculatory Hypothetical Libel scenario I envisioned what seems like a long time ago now.
It is heartening to see AcidFlask not being intimidated. It is heartening to see that he is making his own stance, unafraid to point out glaring inaccuracies in news reports. It is heartening to see that he is taking taking has stand against someone who wields far more power and influence than him. It can be likened to a kid who stands up against his physically stronger bully and his friends – taking them on and challenging them (P.S I am not insinuating anyone is a bully – I am just using abstract analogy).
And it is heartening to see fellow bloggers aiding him in whatever ways they can possible, standing up for him. Because this is not just about a student against a government agency any more. This is about blogging, freedom of speech. This is about the reputation of the very country we are living in, in terms of press freedom, in the eyes of our own citizens, in the eyes of foreign entities. Perhaps, while A*Star claims to defend the reputation of Singapore, they have inadvertently done the exact opposite, which will be highly unfortunate. We must strive to clarify and rectify this.
Because publicity of the real facts, the real issues at hand, will let us all have a clearer insight to the whole debacle. That is why bloggers who feel strongly towards preservation of blogging (which is the best bastion of free speech in Singapore) – should do their part (but should not be forced into doing so) - by the best way they can - public support on their public blogs.
We now await Mr Phillip Yeo's reply to the whole matter. Any refusal to construct a reply, with his own version of events, with full clarification of what he did and why he did it, (and what words were construed defamatory), could now be construed as a sign that, maybe perhaps even the esteemed Mr Phillip Yeo may just have been a little too sensitive this time round, maybe he did overreact to what are no more than harmless commonplace every-day conversational jibes. Dare I also suggest, maybe there is more to the threat than meets the eye...(Fair Comment!!)
However, I am sure that he will write out his own version of events. I sincerely await that, because then we will have a clear picture of events from both sides. The full picture, the vantage point of a neutral observer.
We can then analyse both accounts and decide whether AcidFlask's defensiveness was justified or esteemed Mr Philip Yeo's original aggrievement was justified.
*(Having met esteemed Mr Yeo before, I do think he comes across as a good person. I do find his legal threats ..out of character..but of course I do not know him that well)
*I do hope the entire matter is clarified soon enough. This is certainly a case of having dirty linen aired out in public, which is unfortunate. However, it is hoped that since it is already full-blown, it would be useful if settlement of this issue serves as a precedent, so that bloggers will be more clear and aware of their responsibilities and liabliites.
It is, by far, the most revealing and insightful content to the entire debacle so far. One wonders why Mr Yeo, who seems to have plenty of time and resources to spend on engaging lawyers to handle every single minute potential legalities with regards to his esteemed name, has not found the time and resources to produce a proper, detailed and concise statement. (I suppose its in drafting now, right, I hope???) AcidFlask also mentions that Mr Yeo has not pointed out exactly what material was defamatory. May I suggest the generalisation is perhaps due to inability to pick out specific red-letter material? That it was just used as a general measure to oppress someone? Of course, it may just be that Mr Yeo, busy man that he is, has not enough time to do specifically pick out the nitty gritty (P.S This is a Fair Comment and should not be construed otherwise).
From the latest developments, it is becoming more evident that it is not too far off from the purely speculatory Hypothetical Libel scenario I envisioned what seems like a long time ago now.
It is heartening to see AcidFlask not being intimidated. It is heartening to see that he is making his own stance, unafraid to point out glaring inaccuracies in news reports. It is heartening to see that he is taking taking has stand against someone who wields far more power and influence than him. It can be likened to a kid who stands up against his physically stronger bully and his friends – taking them on and challenging them (P.S I am not insinuating anyone is a bully – I am just using abstract analogy).
And it is heartening to see fellow bloggers aiding him in whatever ways they can possible, standing up for him. Because this is not just about a student against a government agency any more. This is about blogging, freedom of speech. This is about the reputation of the very country we are living in, in terms of press freedom, in the eyes of our own citizens, in the eyes of foreign entities. Perhaps, while A*Star claims to defend the reputation of Singapore, they have inadvertently done the exact opposite, which will be highly unfortunate. We must strive to clarify and rectify this.
Because publicity of the real facts, the real issues at hand, will let us all have a clearer insight to the whole debacle. That is why bloggers who feel strongly towards preservation of blogging (which is the best bastion of free speech in Singapore) – should do their part (but should not be forced into doing so) - by the best way they can - public support on their public blogs.
We now await Mr Phillip Yeo's reply to the whole matter. Any refusal to construct a reply, with his own version of events, with full clarification of what he did and why he did it, (and what words were construed defamatory), could now be construed as a sign that, maybe perhaps even the esteemed Mr Phillip Yeo may just have been a little too sensitive this time round, maybe he did overreact to what are no more than harmless commonplace every-day conversational jibes. Dare I also suggest, maybe there is more to the threat than meets the eye...(Fair Comment!!)
However, I am sure that he will write out his own version of events. I sincerely await that, because then we will have a clear picture of events from both sides. The full picture, the vantage point of a neutral observer.
We can then analyse both accounts and decide whether AcidFlask's defensiveness was justified or esteemed Mr Philip Yeo's original aggrievement was justified.
*(Having met esteemed Mr Yeo before, I do think he comes across as a good person. I do find his legal threats ..out of character..but of course I do not know him that well)
*I do hope the entire matter is clarified soon enough. This is certainly a case of having dirty linen aired out in public, which is unfortunate. However, it is hoped that since it is already full-blown, it would be useful if settlement of this issue serves as a precedent, so that bloggers will be more clear and aware of their responsibilities and liabliites.
posted by redrown at 8:32 PM
12 Comments:
Trackback: From a Singapore Angle, AcidFlask Press Statement Published
Mr Yeo is coming out of this with egg on his face.
So much for 'defending' his reputation...
i think its more than just egg on his face, its more like all over everyone, though of course it is unfortunate and inadvertent.
seeing that a top beaurecrat like Mr Yeo would have higher codes of conduct to live up to, I suppose the proverbial egg would be thicker on his face.
sometimes beaurecrats have got to realise that discreet manoeuvring might be the best way to resolve a situation, and not crushing down with a sledgehammer.
Don't they read the art of management/war or stuff like that?
i think he sorely underestimated the power of the medium of blogging.
lets face it, if the issue arose in a offline, non-communal medium, this news would not have spread so fast (around the world)
he probably thought it would be a sweet, discreet manouever, but evidently, its not really turning out that way at all.
Have you read the news yet?
There's an article on this in
'The Straits Times' chucked in one corner of the Home section..
"A*Star declined to reveal...
as this would amount to repeating this libel."
That still sounds highly suspicious to me...
----------------
It's also interesting to see the amount of disclaimers in this post..
Scared kena sued ah?
i think he sorely underestimated the power of the medium of blogging.
I very much agree with this. Say 2 months ago, I myself can't imagine the extent in which individual bloggers are able to do fact checks on MSM/spot the differences/spread the news/critique sloppy arguments in this manner. Orgs like Loy's and T.SG really have some sort of multiplyer effect (because they try to bring diversified nodes together) on an already fast moving medium...
darth: i guess they are aware of the level of scrutiny - and they are trying to be as low-key as possible. The less they say, the less potential for liability...
jeff: exactly- plus they didnt realise how much interest this would generate especially amongst bloggers.
... which is really silly of them; they should know that bloggers occupy the upper quartile of kaypoh-ness ;)
wait are u implying we are all kaypohs? How dare you. wait a minute, we ARE kaypohs. Oh well:P
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